Movie Tab II [Archive] - Page 83

Lucas

06-08-14, 04:01 PM

The Assassination of Jesse James by the coward Robert Ford 4+

What in the world happened in 2007? Three outstanding films(all Neo-Westerns) came out, No Country For Old Men, There will be Blood and of course this. This is the weakest of the big three, but damn is it good regardless.

There's a striking confidence to the narrative, and how it focuses on the characters. The acting is excellent, and while Brad Pitt is superb as the Jesse James, I think it might be Casey Affleck's incredible performance that really steals the show. Then comes the visuals. My lord are the visuals breathtaking. This might be one of the most beautiful films Roger Deakins has ever worked on, and believe me that's saying something. And of course I do find flaws here which do hold it back, most notably it's colossal length which should by all means be trimmed. And the pacing is outright glacial at times, but once you get into it you won't be able to look away.

Critic Mark Kermode noted how this is one of the most overlooked masterpieces of the 21st century, and he might be right. This is high-quality filmmaking, and it deserves to get more recognition.

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The Grand Budapest Hotel 3.5-

I've never been a big fan of Wes Anderson. His films are enjoyable and the quirky,colorful visuals are always stunning to look at. But I never really connected with any of his films to the extent that I would love them. The same applies to TGBH here.

This film of course is remarkable in it's visual style. Quirky,colorful,nostalgic and very vibrant. The story doesn't really do much for me however, as I do feel it's second hand to the visuals. Basically, I enjoyed TGBH. But I definitely don't love it. But I will say that Anderson is really good at what he does.

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The Great Beauty 3

Without beating around the bush, yes there is a hint of Fellini here. But it's rather marginal.

Now with that out of the way, let me get into The Great Beauty. It is about a man Jep Gambardella, a man who grew up amidst the high society of Rome. Yet after his 65th birthday, he begins to realize that he doesn't have much to show for his life. Just like the two films above this one, this also has really gorgeous cinematography. The most striking example is a party sequence towards the beginning, and it is absolutely glorious. I do think the character of Jep is really interesting, but his personality isn't enough to carry a film which feels all too disjointed and meandering. My problem comes in that the film doesn't quite know what it's going for, and while many might state that there is alot of depth here. I simply don't see it, and find the whole film sorta superficial. In time i'd be open to giving this a rewatch, but as it stands I don't think it's all that great.

http://www.goseetalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/The-Great-Beauty-3.jpg

Late Spring 4

There's a certain warmth and beauty to almost every Ozu film. This is of course no exception.I just love how simple and restrained his filmmaking style is, and how human all the characters feel.

http://fryemuseum.org/images/event_images/late-spring-noriko-and-shukichi.jpg

Oculus 3.5+

Thoroughly enjoyable horror film, using atmosphere and psychological thrills rather than cans of gore to keep the audience on the edge of their seat. I'm a horror fan, always have been and always will be. To me, this is one of the best horrors I've seen in a very long time. It does what it needs to do, and it does it well.

It gets a thumbs up from me.

http://images.best-horror-movies.com/oculus-image-7.jpg

mark f

06-08-14, 08:23 PM

Black Mama White Mama (Eddie Romero, 1973) 2
Bucktown (Arthur Marks, 1975) 2
The Truth About Charlie (Jonathan Demme, 2002) 2
Red Dragon (Brett Ratner, 2002) 3+
http://www.thefancarpet.com/uploaded_assets/images/gallery/2730/Red_Dragon_43625_Medium.jpg
Serial killer The Tooth Fairy (Ralph Fiennes) is sweet on his next potential victim, blind Emily Watson.
Skeleton Man (Johnny Martin, 2004) 1
The Making of 'The World's Fastest Indian' (Murray Page, 2006) 3
Burt Munro: Offerings to the God of Speed (Roger Donaldson, 1971) 3
The World's Fastest Indian (Roger Donaldson, 2005) 3.5
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New Zealand sexagenarian Burt Munro (Anthony Hopkins) travels to the Bonneville Salt Flats with his 1920 Indian motorcycle to try to set a land speed record.
Rumble on the Docks (Fred F. Sears, 1956) 2
The Mob (Robert Parrish, 1951) 2+
The Players Club (Ice Cube, 1998) 2
Kick-Ass 2 (Jeff Wadlow, 2013) 2.5
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Hit Girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) is just getting warmed up in her second go-round.
Elephant White (Prachya Pinkaew, 2011) 2
Wild Women aka Strippers from Another World (Dean McKendrick, 2013) 1
Ask Me Don't Tell Me (David Myers, 1961) 2
D.O.A. (Rudolph Maté, 1950) 3-
https://maniacosporfilme.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/doa-2.jpg?w=450
Doctor Frank Gerstle shows accountant Edmond O’Brien the type of luminous poison he has ingested.
Kisses for My President (Curtis Bernhardt, 1964) 2
Cruel Intentions (Roger Kumble, 1999) 3
Fanny Hill: Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure (Russ Meyer, 1964) 2 (Russ Meyer’s version of Tom Jones.)
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Tim Burton, 2005) 3
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Two things to remember about this version: Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp) really doesn’t seem to like kids (or parents), and he actually is a he.

Cobpyth

06-08-14, 08:31 PM

@Meatwadsprite: How is The Conformist in any way surreal? It's a very straight-forward story, in my opinion.

Also, I think Manhattan actually has more depth and cleverness than Annie Hall. It may not be as openly witty, but it's smarter in a higher sense, I think. I'm glad you at least enjoyed one of the two Woody flicks, though.

Guaporense

06-08-14, 08:58 PM

Maleficent - 3_5

Pretty good IMO. A modern revisionist version of sleeping beauty adapted to the 21st century feminist ideals and a more cynical view of morality.

Mr Minio

06-09-14, 03:38 AM

Gotta finally watch The Conformist. That cinematography is amazing.

honeykid

06-09-14, 10:25 AM

Gotta finally watch The Conformist. That cinematography is amazing.
It's the best bit of the film. It's the only part I liked.

Hanna 2.5 - A fairytale action movie. Well made and some nice cinematography. While it didn't excite me, it has its moments and Saoirse Ronan plays it really well. Sadly Tom Hollander's Isaac came across as a poor man's Javier Bardem from Skyfall, which is bad seeing as Bardem was ridiculous enough in Skyfall.

Mean Streets 2.5 - I like it until the last half an hour or so. I don't know why. Maybe it's because Johnny Boy is so annoying I just can't buy Charlie's constant forgiving and guily. I know it's a Catholic thing, but as I don't understand that either, I'm still on a hiding to nowhere.

Searching For Sugarman 4.5 - I don't know if I'm overrating this or underrating it. It's fantastic. An amazing story, wonderfully told. I felt for everyone involved and their personal stories and connection came across so strongly I couldn't help but be affected.

The Taking Of Pelham 1,2,3 (2009) 2 - As I said elsewhere, the biggest connection between this and the original is that they're both good examples of their eras and the Hollywood that made them. This is a decent thriller, but it lacks the smarts and, more importantly, the atmosphere of the original.

jrs

06-09-14, 10:43 AM

X-Men Days of Future Past 3_5 - Fun and entertaining to watch from beginning to end, and worth paying to see. Better than X-Men: First Class but not as great as the original X- Men trilogy. After watching X 1-3, X- Men Origins: Wolverine and The Wolverine and First Class...Future Past has quite a few continuity errors, making like some of the major events of the X- Men storyline in the films either never happened or pretty much messing it up completely. I might be a little picky but that's just me I guess. Things like that bother me. lol. Otherwise, the film was exciting and a joy to to be had.

Daniel M

06-09-14, 11:28 AM

I saw the Sugarman documentary was on iPlayer, HK, I might have to watch it sometime.

honeykid

06-09-14, 11:57 AM

I saw the Sugarman documentary was on iPlayer, HK, I might have to watch it sometime.
Do. I can't think how anyone could not like it. You might not love it, but it's a great story. Whatever you know about it, leave it at that. I don't think knowing about it will ruin it, and it won't affect how you feel about the people involved and their stories, but it's just a fantastic story.

the samoan lawyer

06-09-14, 12:00 PM

Do. I can't think how anyone could not like it. You might not love it, but it's a great story. Whatever you know about it, leave it at that. I don't think knowing about it will ruin it, and it won't affect how you feel about the people involved and their stories, but it's just a fantastic story.

Brilliant documentary. Such an amazing story. Great soundtrack too.

meatwadsprite

06-09-14, 02:02 PM

@Meatwadsprite: How is The Conformist in any way surreal? It's a very straight-forward story, in my opinion.

Maybe I'm just not smart enough, but almost every scene I was saying to myself "what the hell is happening here?". He gets harrased by a gang of kids and adults are just watching it happen. Some low rate government official gives him a gun. Then he points it at that guy, then somewhere else, then at himself. The main guy says to a priest right in front of his wife that he doesn't even like her that much. "Mediocre" he calls her. Then there's some party scene with a bunch of blind people and one of the blind guys punches someone. Also, this guy comes from wealth, but the money is running a little dry so he becomes an assassin ?

I wouldn't even have my faint grasp at what was happening if I hadn't read that the movie takes place during World War 2.

Also, I think Manhattan actually has more depth and cleverness than Annie Hall. It may not be as openly witty, but it's smarter in a higher sense, I think. I'm glad you at least enjoyed one of the two Woody flicks, though.

I thought it lived up to it's title, very superficial and fake. What did you think was smarter about it ?

mark f

06-10-14, 06:58 AM

The Wizard of Oz (Larry Semon, 1925) 2+
This Is the End (Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, 2013) 3
Blue Streak (Les Mayfield, 1999) 2+
Sin City (Frank Miller & Robert Rodriguez, 2005) 3+
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8o4jE209YTo/T8dY_9caTQI/AAAAAAAACbU/vZ3El39rWKA/s1600/marv.jpg
Brutal Marv (Mickey Rourke) seeks revenge on many people, including silent cannibal Kevin (Elijah Wood).
Rize (Dave LaChapelle, 2005) 3-
Idle Hands (Rodman Flender, 1999) 2.5-
House of the Dead 2 (Mike Hurst, 2005) 1.5+
China Seas (Tay Garnett, 1935) 3-
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Ship captain Clark Gable is usually kept warm at night by hooker Jean Harlow, but his old girlfriend has just come aboard.
A Day at the Races (Sam Wood, 1937) 2.5
Anna Karenina (Joe Wright, 2012) 2.5
Out to Sea (Martha Coolidge, 1997) 2.5
Changeling (Clint Eastwood, 2008) 3+
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Grieving mother Angelina Jolie confronts convicted murderer Jason Butler Harner before his execution and asks if he killed her missing son.
Black Orpheus (Marcel Camus, 1959) 3
9 Muses of Star Empire (Hark Joon Lee, 2012) 1.5+
Scanners (David Cronenberg, 1981) 2.5-
As It Is in Heaven (Kay Pollak, 2004) 3+
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New choir conductor Michael Nyqvist gives personal attention to free spirit Frida Hallgren.
Greenmail (Jonathan Heap, 2002) 2
Camelot (Joshua Logan, 1967) 3+
Right at Your Door (Chris Gorak, 2006) 2.5-
Get Low (Aaron Schneider, 2009) 3
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Mysterious town pariah Robert Duvall considers having local funeral home director Bill Murray and his assistant Lucas Black organize a funeral party for him to attend while he’s alive.

rauldc14

06-10-14, 02:23 PM

The Trial- 6/10
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I think Anthony Perkins is a good actor. He definitely proved that he is not just a one trick pony for me. Unfortunately the film as a whole does not hold up all that well for me. The idea of the film sounded really intriguing I just don't think it was executed very well. Which seems insane to say since the film was under the helm of Orson Welles. I had only seen Citizen Kane previously but this one from Welles was a letdown for me. It has interesting scenes, but as a whole doesn't come together.

Watership Down-4/10
http://www.riverbank.ie/files/images/Watership%20Down%201%20for%20web.jpg
Might be a bit too critical of a rating, but I really didn't like it much. Filled with sad and sorrow, but a type of sad and sorrow that just isn't made for me. I'm a pretty big animation guy but nothing here really hit it well for me. Although it is strange because I can see why people would like the film. Will it make the 70s list? I'd consider it a longshot, but you never know.

Zodiac- 7.5/10
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An enjoyable detective film, but I've still got Se7en pegged well ahead of it. I like Gyllenhaal in parts but yet there were parts that his acting didn't seem believable to me. I did enjoy Downey and Ruffalos roles though. Having only seen Se7en and Fight Club before it, I put this one in between the two. Hopefully I can get to The Social Network and Benjamin Button at some point this year. My favorite part of this film was the darkness and the setting of the film, as it seems Fincher is always solid with that.

Tokyo Story- 8.5/10
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Tokyo Story is the first film of Ozu's that I have seen, and it surely will not be my last. I've heard a lot about his reputation as a director and he delivers here. He brings us a story of a couple of Japanese parents, who, realizing that their time may be coming short, embark on a visit to see their children in Tokyo. When they arrive they see that their kids are busy and don't have a lot of time for the,. The story and the premise are simple, but the emotional output and the scenes themselves are simply brilliantly executed. Ozu doesn't move the camera much, yet he is able to take simple scenes and turn them into gold. I don't want to give away a lot of the film, but it is a film that must be seen by all. The last twenty minutes of the film are very touching and among perhaps the best in world cinematic history. Really gives life a new meaning and perspective in my opinion.

The Marriage of Maria Braun- 6.5/10
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My first viewing of Fassbinder. I can see why people would like it. I thought it was ok. Like Mark thought, movies like this aren't usually for me, but I can surely see why people would think its a good film. A small peeve of mine was that sometimes it seemed like sound was in the way of the drama and action (obviously designed to be this way, I just didn't like it). I thought the lead did well and while I watched it with subtitles, it was nice to get a bit of a refresher on the German language. The ending shocked the hell out of me. It won't make my 70s list, but I wouldn't be shocked to see it make the 70s list if enough have seen it.

Cobpyth

06-10-14, 10:12 PM

Lucas

06-10-14, 10:38 PM

Personally, I adore The Trial. It casts an incredible atmosphere of unease and uncertainty. There's a certain disorientation to it, and the cinematography is deliciously gloomy. I felt really uncomfortable viewing it, and that's a really good thing. It kind of channels how the main character might feel. Great performance by Perkins btw.

Swan

06-10-14, 10:47 PM

Ghost World (Terry Zwigoff, 2001) – 3.5+
Room 237 (Rodney Ascher, 2012) – 2
Raiders of the Lost Ark* (Steven Spielberg, 1981) – 4
Shallow Hal* (Bobby Farrelly & Peter Farrelly, 2001) – 3
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom* (Steven Spielberg, 1984) – 3.5
Godzilla* (Gareth Edwards, 2014) – 3
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade* (Steven Spielberg, 1989) – 3.5+
Batman & Robin* (Joel Schumacher, 1997) – 1.5
3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977) – 5
The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) – 4.5

*Rewatch

Pussy Galore

06-11-14, 01:38 PM

X-Men: A really good, well made, well developped super hero movie. I was only 4 years old when it came out, but from what I hear it really gave hope to comic fans after the disappointing Joel Schumacher batman. Wolverine is a badass, Famke Jansen is absolutely beautiful. Mystique is a fantastic enigmatic character and the relationship between Xavier and Magneto is always interesting. I don't really care for the character of Rogue, she's useless and his one of the main character, that would be my only complain.

X2: An other excellent movie. Again we see the ambiguity in the character of Magneto. He respects Charles Xavier for what he has done for mutants, but can't accept his visions of the world. Brian Cox plays this mad scientist that made Wolverine what he his and wants to attack the earth, the X-Men wants to stop him. Really well done, entertaining action flick.

X-Men Last Stand: I would see why a comic book fan would dislike this one. I heard that the phoenix saga was one of the best moments in the comic and that Ratner kind of screw it up. Not being a fan of the comic I don't know the original story so I can't compare. The movie itself was enjoyable and I had a good time watching it, not as good as the rest, but not as bad as everyone else are saying. An other dumb move this movie made is that he made certain character die which made it a little harder for the next director to start a new story.

X-Men First Class: Now that's a movie! The original trilogy was really good, but this one is A LOT better. It ranks among my favorite super hero movies. Fassbender and Mcavoy are incredible, funny, badass, good in their roles. We actually don't see the X-Men at all, just the back story of Xavier and Magneto and I still loved it. I have to say that these 2 are the most interesting characters in all X-Men. Great movie, well made action, well made storytelling, fantastic!

X-Men Days of Future Past: This one was even better than his predecessor. If it wasn't of Nolan's Dark Knigt trilogy it would be my favorite super hero movie. It's intelligent, well made, funny, action packed, it rights the wrongs of the other movies. (death of certain characters, etc.) There's a scene involving Quicksilver that is so awesome, perfectly paced, the music, everything. I almost aplauded in the scinema after seing this scene, really impressive. I love when Singer show's us, a little bit like Inception, how in both time period they have to do something fast in order to save the world. The ending might be a little cheesy for some people, but for me it made sens and it hyped me for the next film. I hope Singer will still direct it even if I heard the he is accused of sexual aggression or something like that.

Daniel M

06-11-14, 02:29 PM

3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977) – 5
The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) – 4.5

You are now one of us.

TokeZa

06-11-14, 02:33 PM

I havent kept up with my movie tab posts lately so this is going to be a pretty long one. Sorry about that.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OkFAR4sbEoQ/TuWImE1SnsI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/_mDs9Q1-CNM/s1600/mouchette.jpg

Mouchette (1967) by Robert Bresson 3.5+

Last Year at Marienbad (1961) by Alain Resnais 4.5

Entr'acte (1924) by René Clair 3.5+

L' Etoile de mer (1928) by Man Ray 3

Emak-Bakia (1926) by Man Ray 3.5

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La Coquille et le Clergyman (1928) by Germaine Dulac 3

Krakatau (1986) by Mariusz Grzegorzek 3+

The Dante Quartet (1987) by Stan Brakhage 3.5

Window Water Baby Moving (1962) by Stan Brakhage 4

Mothlight (1963) by Stan Brakhage 3.5

http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg26/scaled.php?server=26&filename=vlcsnap2011102512h52m50.png&res=medium

Free to Go (Interlude) (2004) by Andrew Noren 2.5

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) by Wes Anderson 3.5+

Elégia (1965) by Zoltán Huszárik 3.5+

Fuego en Castilla (1960) by José Val del Omar 2.5

A Légy (1980) by Ferenc Rofusz 3+

http://pdome.org/files/2013/02/Light_Is_Calling1.1.jpg

Light Is Calling (2004) by Bill Morrison 2.5+

La femme qui se poudre (1972) by Patrick Bokanowski 3

The Life and Death of 9413, a Hollywood Extra (1928) by Robert Florey and Slavko Vorkapich 2+

Phantoms of Nabua (2009) by Apichatpong Weerasethakul 3

Surface Tension (1968) by Hollis Frampton 2.5

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Quick Billy (1971) by Bruce Baillie 1.5+

Witch's Cradle (1944) by Maya Deren 3+

Dimensions of Dialogue (1982) by Jan Svankmajer 4

The Heron and the Crane (1974) by Yuriy Norshteyn 3.5

Journey to Italy (1954) by Roberto Rossellini 3+

http://deeperintomovies.net/journal/image09/junkopia2.jpg

Junkopia (1981) by Chris Marker, Frank Simeone and John Chapman 3+

Yozhik v tumane (1975) by Yuriy Norshteyn 3.5+

At Land (1944) by Maya Deren 3.5

Darkness/Light/Darkness (1989) by Jan Svankmajer 3.5

L' Homme qui plantait des arbres (1987) by Frédéric Back 3.5

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A Country Doctor (2007) by Koji Yamamura 3+

Fireworks (1947) by Kenneth Anger 3+

Le Retour à la raison (1923) by Man Ray 2.5+

Living (1971) by Frans Zwartjes 2

Kuroi yuki (1965) by Tetsuji Takechi 2.5+

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Okasareta hakui (1967) by Kôji Wakamatsu 3+

Demons (1971) by Toshio Matsumoto 3.5+

Nishijin (1962) by Toshio Matsumoto 3

Ecstasis (1969) by Toshio Matsumoto 3+

Desistfilm (1954) by Stan Brakhage 4

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Wedlock House: An Intercourse (1959) by Stan Brakhage 3.5+

Delicacies of Molten Horror Synapse (1991) by Stan Brakhage 3+

Some Like It Hot (1959) by Billy Wilder 2+

Sorcerer (1977) by William Friedkin 2.5

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) by William Friedkin 1.5

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Ugetsu (1953) by Kenji Mizoguchi 4+

Barry Lyndon (1975) by Stanley Kubrick 4+

Sans soleil (1983) by Chris Marker 4

Wavelength (1967) by Michael Snow 2.5

Reminiscences of a Journey to Lithuania (1972) by Jonas Mekas 3.5+

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Vive L'amour (1994) by Tsai Ming-Liang 3.5+

Real Life (1979) by Albert Brooks 1+

A Time to Live, a Time to Die (1985) by Hou Hsiao-hsien 5

Jîn (2013) by Reha Erdem 3.5

A Summer at Grandpa's (1984) by Hou Hsiao-hsien 4

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Le Trou (1960) by Jacques Becker 3.5+

The River (1997) by Tsai Ming-Liang 3.5

A Zed & Two Noughts (1985) by Peter Greenaway 2.5

A City of Sadness (1989) by Hou Hsiao-hsien 5

The Hole (1998) by Tsai Ming-Liang 4

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The Cook the Thief His Wife & Her Lover (1989) by Peter Greenaway 2.5

What Time Is It There? (2001) by Tsai Ming-Liang 4

Dust in the Wind (1987) by Hou Hsiao-hsien 4

My Night at Maud's (1969) by Eric Rohmer 4+

Goodbye Dragon Inn (2003) by Tsai Ming-Liang 4.5

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L'argent (1983) by Robert Bresson 4+

The Wind Rises (2013) by Hayao Miyazaki 3.5

Flaming Creatures (1963) by Jack Smith 3

Sweet Movie (1974) by Dusan Makavejev 2

Climates (2006) by Nuri Bilge Ceylan 3.5

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Fireworks (1997) by Takeshi Kitano 4

Spider (2002) by David Cronenberg 3

Manila in the Claws of Neon (1975) by Lino Brocka 2.5+

My Neighbor Totoro (1988) by Hayao Miyazaki 4.5

Days of Eclipse (1988) by Aleksandr Sokurov 3+

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Koshikei (1968) by Nagisa Oshima 3

Hail Mary (1985) by Jean-Luc Godard 2.5+

The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003) by Takeshi Kitano 2.5

honeykid

06-11-14, 03:30 PM

To Live and Die in L.A. (1985) by William Friedkin 1.5
The Blind Swordsman: Zatoichi (2003) by Takeshi Kitano 2.5
Toke's gone mad. Mad I tells ya! The 03 version of Zatoichi better than To Live And Die In LA?

Once Upon A Time In Anatolia 2 - It's not a bad film, it's just nothing. It was like watching a race I kept expecting to start and then being told it had finished and I'd seen it. I wasn't bored, I just kept waiting. It's like moving wallpaper. I think I could meditate while watching this. I'm sure it was supposed to be saying something, but I'll be damned if I heard what it was. I will say that once they get back into town, then it felt like a film that didn't know how or when to finish. I was glad to turn it off by then.

The Lincoln Lawyer 3 - For some reason, I like films where the lawyer turns on their client. No idea why, but they appeal and this was no different.

However, I felt that the ending didn't give me the payoff I was hoping for and having the mother kill Frank was not only fairly obvious by the end, but a weak copout, IMO. That part felt like a poor Columbo episode ending or something like that.

Mr Minio

06-11-14, 04:59 PM

An impressive post, TokeZa. i don't agree with everything (especially the rating of Quick Billy), but it's one of the best posts lately. I'm impressed you like Brakhage so much.

honeykid

06-11-14, 05:40 PM

Really? I went through them all and thought "all those films and most of the ones really worth watching he didn't like" :p

Swan

06-11-14, 05:48 PM

Is TokeZa a guy? I always assumed TokeZa was a female.

Daniel M

06-11-14, 05:55 PM

Is TokeZa a guy? I always assumed TokeZa was a female.

Yeah he is (99% sure). Did you think it because of his avatar? Maybe he thinks you're some weird bird creature :p

honeykid

06-11-14, 06:01 PM

Wait? Swan isn't some weird bird creature? :eek:

jiraffejustin

06-11-14, 06:02 PM

I always assumed Mr Minio was a vampire that couldn't act for sh*t (except for when he plays double roles)

Swan

06-11-14, 06:30 PM

Yeah he is (99% sure). Did you think it because of his avatar? Maybe he thinks you're some weird bird creature :p

Yep, I always pictured TokeZa as being Maya Deren. :D

Mr Minio

06-11-14, 06:38 PM

Yeah and before that I was a German actor who plays the main part in Hungarian film.

And I imagine jiraffejustin as hipster giraffe,

jiraffejustin

06-11-14, 06:39 PM

And I imagine jiraffejustin as hipster giraffe,

That's fairly accurate

Mr Minio

06-11-14, 06:41 PM

"oh yeah, look at me, I'm too cool to be a giraffejustin. I always go against the flow. I'm jiraffejustin!" :)

jiraffegustin sounds fun too

Swan

06-11-14, 06:42 PM

Maybe he means Jiraffe the restaurant.

http://www.jirafferestaurant.com/menu

jiraffejustin

06-11-14, 06:45 PM

"oh yeah, look at me, I'm too cool to be a giraffejustin. I always go against the flow. I'm jiraffejustin!" :)

jiraffegustin sounds fun too

jiraffegustin sounds too much like giraffe gushin', which sounds too much like a weird giraffe sex thing.

Maybe he means Jiraffe the restaurant.

http://www.jirafferestaurant.com/menu

that's stylized "JiRaffe" which is way too pretentious for me, of course.

mark f

06-11-14, 08:14 PM

Hey, this is Movie Tab II, not Chill Club II :cool:

F/X2 (Richard Franklin, 1991) 2.5
Lionheart (Sheldon Lettich, 1990) 2
Flashpoint (William Tannen, 1984) 2.5
Remembering the Artist: Robert De Niro, Sr. (Perri Peltz & Geeta Gandbhir, 2014) 3
http://www.verbavolant.eu/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/14039-1-520x245.jpg
Robert De Niro reminisces about his father and reads excerpts from his journals, while others talk about his life and career as a significant NYC artist.
The Last Shot (Jeff Nathanson, 2004) 2.5
Go (Doug Liman, 1999) 2.5+
Nobody's Baby (Gus Meins, 1937) 2
Yearning (Mikio Naruse, 1964) 2.5
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m85xmfVYGU1qixuo1o1_500.png
Japan's Douglas Sirk tells the story of widow Hideko Takamine, who has run her in-laws’ store for almost 20 years, may start a new life with brother-in-law Yûzô Kayama if she can get over the guilt.
Stealing Harvard (Bruce McCulloch, 2002) 2
Con Air (Simon West, 1997) 3
Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise (Joe Roth, 1987) 2+
Before Night Falls (Julian Schnabel, 2000) 2.5
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l95totlFMI1qzzh6g.jpg
Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas (Javier Bardem) is a victim of repression and homophobia and spends time in prison where he meets hot transvestite and drug mule Johnny Depp.
Spy Game (Tony Scott, 2001) 2.5
The Jewel of the Nile (Lewis Teague, 1985) 2.5
Three Godfathers (Richard Boleslawski, 1936) 2.5+
100 Years of Adolph Hitler: The Last Hour in the Führerbunker (Christoph Schlingensief, 1989) 2.5
http://filmtagebuch.blogger.de/static/antville/filmtagebuch/images/100%20jahre%20adolf%20hitler.jpg
Social satire has Udo Kier as the Führer, surrounded by his Crazy Crew, all only able to see and be seen in the dark because of flashlights, bookended by references to modern Germany.
Alexander (Oliver Stone, 2004) 2.5
The Winning Ticket (Charles Reisner, 1935) 2
Flawless (Joel Schumacher, 1999) 2.5
La Soufrière: Warten auf eine unausweichliche Katastrophe (Werner Herzog, 1977) 2.5
http://libernazione.it/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/PrbyDnKQQj6kh0vvPefdvKs5o1_5001.jpg
The only human being Herzog and his skeleton crew find on the island of Guadalupe when they come to record the environment prior to the eruption of volcano La Soufrière in 1976.

Daniel M

06-11-14, 08:32 PM

Don't Look Now
(Nicolas Roeg, 1973) 4

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/BOOKS/Pix/pictures/2011/10/27/1319732110434/Dont-Look-Now-007.jpg

Gripping horror film that is extremely effective due to the atmosphere created by Roeg. Much like Walkabout, the film carries a mysterious eerie feeling throughout, creating by fantastic use and mixture of images and colours. Also similar to Walkabout is the constant theme of communication throughout the film, captured perfectly by the seemingly hopeless Donald Sutherland who constantly feels out of place and in trouble, as if everyone around him is an enemy, and he is being closed in on by his enviroment.

Sorcerer
(William Friedkin, 1977) 4

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/9/5/1378400332370/Sorcerer-1977-010.jpg

Whilst The Exorcist and The French Connection have always been regarded as two of the finest seventies films, and will surely have no trouble in making the Movie Forums list, had the site run the feature a few years ago, the outcome for this film would probably be different. Undergoing a mini revival of sorts with a Blu-ray transfer and re-screenings in certain places, it is easy to see why this is often described as a lost masterpiece, and why the director himself regards it as his greatest achievement.

Much like a Werner Herzog film (who I will dicsuss later in this post), in every frame you can feel the effort which has gone into creating the film. The film shows men battle against all odds to transport highly explosive nitroglycerin across over 200 miles of treacherous rainforest. There are many scenes that stand out in a film that captures both the beauty and bleakness of nature with the bridge scene being the most famous, and also like a Herzog film, Friedkin manages to capture the madness inflicted on humans in such a journey, perfectly captured by the determined Roy Schieder who 'leads' the men.

Carnal Knowledge
(Mike Nichols, 1971) 4-

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/8/22/1377169218477/CARNAL-008.jpg

Although essentially a drama about a man's sex life, the performance of Jack Nicholson transforms the film into a fascinating black comedy in which we watch a troubled man attempt to overcome his problems and become content with women in his life. One of the film's final scenes in which we see a video montage of different women that Jack's character has 'interacted' with over time is brilliant in summing up the despicable and disturbed man he is, in the dark comedic manner that we have seen throughout.

Whilst this film won't be for everyone, those who enjoy character studies that don't hold back when it comes to the problems of their protagonists (it is not surprise Cobpyth loves this so much). Essential to the film is both the script and the direction, the first contains numerous memorable dialogue that works fantastically in a film that heavily relies on the conversations its characters have. Then with direction, Nichols always seems in control of the camera and what he is filming, the camerawork allows us to get involved in the characters as it should in an emotional drama.

Fantastic Planet
(René Laloux) 3.5

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/About/General/2010/7/29/1280398217558/La-Plan-te-Sauvage-Fantas-006.jpg

Copied over from the Movie Club thread (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=35814): What Swan says about almost every frame could be framed and admired is definitely true, I definitely disagree with Donnie in that I absolutely love the animation style and think it works fabulously. Definitely felt a Terry Gilliam vibe from it, but it's unique and refreshing in it's own way, it's obviously cheap and allows for a lot of freedom, producing some very memorable and bizarre creatures that kind of reminded me of Flanimals

In terms of plot and such everything's been covered, it's quite a simplistic story that allows for many analogies all involving the dangers of humanity and I do think that as such the lack of real character development and emotional story left me less connected than I could have been to make the film 'truly great'. At the start of the story with the Om escaping from his owner, I thought that might have later become important in a kind of Pocahontas style story, but instead the later half acts less personally and more as a metaphor, all the creatures appear pretty much the same and I didn't really feel any empathy or such towards anyone in particular.

Definitely a very good film, and I'm glad that I watched it. Fascinating to look at and interesting to analysis, but overall I don't think its complex or focused enough for me to become involved to the point where I fell in love.

The Ballad of Cable Hogue
(Sam Peckinpah, 1970) 3-

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_myX5Q4qMDhY/TKjd4rD1SaI/AAAAAAAAFyg/AimDrZGwDnQ/s1600/cable_hogue_image+(4).jpg

I feel similarly with this film as I did quite recently with Peckinpah's Major Dundee. That is, whilst overall I enjoyed the film, I could not help but feel that as a whole it was a bit disjointed and could have worked better if it had been more focussed and not more a collection of good scenes. In this film, it sometimes felt like I was watching two films. Perhaps I would have preferred it if the story was told in a more serious manner. Although there is nothing wrong with humour, and some of it genuinely made me smile as intended, I felt as the film went on it got increasingly over the top and ridiculous to the point of annoyance.

The China Syndrome
(James Bridges, 1979) 3.5

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XEFYYRgaCpI/0.jpg

This is the type of thriller that I associate with television. I am not sure why but it is something I can imagine watching on the television whilst I was younger, it has that sort of thriller feel too it, big actors and issues in a very accessible production that makes for an easy watch. The story is certainly interesting and kept me gripped until the very end, with very good performances all round. Jack Lemmon, who I probably need to see more from, is particularly impressive in the key role that makes the film so effective. I can see why a lot of people would like it, but I do not think it is the type of film I would ever truly love like some others.

The Bad News Bears
(Michael Ritchie, 1976) 4-

http://mycrazylosttheory.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/buttermaker.jpg

Nowadays a kids team underdog story sounds quite cliché, so I was pleasantly surprised by just how much I enjoyed this film. It is certainly not something I can imagine being made for today's children, it's far more free and filled with a more fun and risky coming-of-age style humour. Walter Matthau is perfect in the lead role, and the film is constructed in a non-sentimental way that makes it more refreshing and delightful come the end.

Midnight Express
(Alan Parker, 197) 2.5

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02375/midnight_2375480c.jpg

A massive disappointment for me as I was expecting to like this film quite a bit. I remember having watched an hour long episode on the story the film is based on, on the documentary series "Locked Up Abroad". That documentary episode was far more interesting and entertaining than this typical mainstream product that falls into the trap that many similar films do: villainous almost all the characters to exaggerate the brutality the protagonist suffers from, and included extreme scenes to also exaggerate the madness (the tongue scene). Even when approaching the film as more a work of fiction, I still became tired of the repetitive scenes that I was seeing, with the ending being the icing on the cake for me in determining my rating. Despite my criticisms I did enjoy the first half a bit, hence not a negative rating, but as I mentioned, I soon grew tired of what I was seeing once we were in the prison.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind
(Steven Spielberg, 1977) 3.5+

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yNE3UIx1ofs/Uie4QjKbGJI/AAAAAAAAeJg/0RgfK1PFLrM/s1600/close-encounters-godard_480_poster.jpg

Growing up I recall watching many Spielberg films: the Indiana Jones series, Jurassic Park and E.T. are the ones I can remember the most, so I was surprised I had never seen this before considering its family like typical Spielberg approach. I pretty much got what I expected with the film, and I liked it a lot. Perhaps I am underrating it a tad, because I would probably say it is one of the most enjoyable Spielberg films I have seen. Aside from the basic storyline of aliens coming to Earth, there are lots of little details that make this film enjoyable. The casting of Francois Truffaut as Lacombe is a stroke of genius, and in the films second half when we see a couple on the run, venturing up a mountain to uncover what was going on, I could not help but think of Hitchcock and in particular North by Northwest.

Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion
(Elio Petri, 1970) 4-

http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/stills/132206-3e3f047479a62ca1c32082f00216088b/Film_682_InvestigationCitizen_original.jpg

A film I have been curious about for a while now due to its appearance in Mark's top 100+ films, and since then positive ratings from others who have seen it, so it made sense to finally see it as I prepared for the seventies countdown.

With a left wing director and lead actor, the direction and lead performance is extremely bombastic and extreme, perhaps much like the fascists themselves, in a great satirical fashion that makes the film so effective. Ennio Morricone's score is similar in its bombastic style, not like the soft, subtle sounds that whistle through the works of Sergio Leone. It is noticeably, quirky, and most importantly fun, like the film itself. The film is what it says on the tin, taking aim at fascism as effectively as you can imagine.

Night Moves
(Arthur Penn, 1975) 3.5+

http://dada.warped.com/movies/11073moves.jpg

One could easily imagine this being a double bill feature with The Long Goodbye, both focusing on private investigators who seem out of place and unaware of what is going on around them. Gene Hackman is terrific in the lead role as man who genuinely seems hopeless at stopping what is going on around him. By the end of the film you genuinely feel for his character.

Duel
(Steven Spielberg, 1971) 3-

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/Dueltruckfront.jpg

A good film that definitely shows signs of whats to come with Spielberg in terms of direction, and in particular the suspense that he can create. A strong lead performance, and whilst Spielberg does his best with camerawork and such to keep suspense for an hour and a half, I feel the premise and running length prevent this film from every really becoming a 'great movie', but some people around here disagree and do love truly it.

Stroszek
(Werner Herzog, 1977) 4.5

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Admin/BkFill/Default_image_group/2010/8/22/1282494513310/Bruno-S-005.jpg

Every now and then you watch a film that you just fall in love with, it touches your heart and leaves you with a smile on your face come the end. Its difficult to put down in words the experience you have had watching, but these films are a breath of fresh air, full of life and feeling human. I recently felt this way with Nasvhille, and I definitely feel this way for Stroszek.

There's something refreshing human about the lead performance of Bruno S., a man that always seems to be smiling and full of life despite the problems he faces. The plot, whilst bizarre, serves as a way to bring out the different characters and their personalities, they're all very peculiar but never seem too unrealistic. Herzog, who has done a lot of work with documentaries, shoots this film like one, and with the decision to use local actors, it feels like this is all very much a true story which only adds to the experience. On the poster for this film it reads "a ballad", and it is, a wonderful poem of life and its wonderful joys and despairs.

Nosferatu the Vampyre
(Werner Herzog, 1979) 3.5-

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2013/10/30/1383152927878/Nosferatu-the-Vampyre-009.jpg

Honestly, this film was nothing like what I expected to be. I am not sure what I was, perhaps a more darker,a gothic black and white film with focus on shadows (maybe the film its based on will be more liked this), instead there is quite a lot of colour used, and a lot of the film takes place at day, moving across land, instead of happening in isolation such as a dark castle that I may have imagined.

The acting is extremely peculiar too, but I found it really enjoyable. If you digitally edited this film and turned the colour black and white, removed the spoken dialogue, and added in title cards, it would be just as effective as a silent film. There are a lot of scenes with little dialogue, and huge emphasises on movement, that is the slow exaggerated movements of the characters that you could imagine in a silent film, it is easy to see what Herzog is paying homage to here.

La Soufrière - Warten auf eine unausweichliche Katastrophe
(Werner Herzog, 1977) 3.5

http://www.dvdclassik.com/upload/images/critique-la-soufriere-herzog1.JPEG

A fascinating short documentary that sums up Werner Herzog's filmmaking approach. He travels to a Caribbean island with his film crew to capture what could have been the final days of the current town as the people would have known it, with the local volcano predicted to erupt at potentially any moment. Fascinating by the story of a local that refuses to leave, who insists on leaving his life in God's hands, we get interviews with him and two others. The island itself is like a ghost town, with the images captured by Herzog perfectly capturing both the beauty and bleakness of the world (see, this is what I said about Sorcerer!).

Cobpyth

06-11-14, 08:38 PM

3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977) – 5
The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) – 4.5

http://pikof.com/di/0WEG/bro-fist-across-the-internet.jpg

Swan

06-11-14, 08:43 PM

http://gifrific.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Jim-Halpert-Darryl-Philbin-Fist-Bump-The-Office.gif

jiraffejustin

06-11-14, 08:44 PM

When Minio hears somebody is being fisted in here he'll be overjoyed.

Cobpyth

06-11-14, 08:57 PM

Carnal Knowledge
(Mike Nichols, 1971) 4-

Although essentially a drama about a man's sex life, the performance of Jack Nicholson transforms the film into a fascinating black comedy in which we watch a troubled man attempt to overcome his problems and become content with women in his life. One of the film's final scenes in which we see a video montage of different women that Jack's character has 'interacted' with over time is brilliant in summing up the despicable and disturbed man he is, in the dark comedic manner that we have seen throughout.

If someone would ask me to compose my top 5 favorite dark comical scenes, that one would be on it, including the moment when his two visitors walk away in shock. The final scene is also brilliant, when Jack starts freaking out because the hooker says "sky is the limit" in stead of "50 bucks". :p

Rarely have I seen dark comedy being mixed so brilliantly and fluently with interesting drama. The drama becomes the comedy in Carnal Knowledge. I was laughing with the sad condition of the two main characters, while also finding tiny bits of truth about myself in them. I LOVE it!

Just listen to the mocking music and the brilliant dialogue in this scene which features Jack's character telling us (and his two visitors) about his completely wretched sexual history:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vys2K_18uk

Priceless. Absolutely PRICELESS!

donniedarko

06-11-14, 08:58 PM

The Lincoln Lawyer 3 - For some reason, I like films where the lawyer turns on their client. No idea why, but they appeal and this was no different.

However, I felt that the ending didn't give me the payoff I was hoping for and having the mother kill Frank was not only fairly obvious by the end, but a weak copout, IMO. That part felt like a poor Columbo episode ending or something like that.

I recommenced the book, even though the movie stays true to the book I feel the execution was better in the novel.

donniedarko

06-11-14, 09:49 PM

The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) – 4.5

*Rewatch

I don't really care that much about 3 Women, but I'll give you another

http://i1210.photobucket.com/albums/cc403/AccidentalG/internet_fist_bump.png

for The Long Goodbye

:cool:

Guaporense

06-11-14, 10:37 PM

Plunge into Western Animation with the number of animated films I have watched since May 20:

54 - Wizards (1977) - 3
http://www.ethangilsdorf.com/storage/wizards.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1395524233400

American adult animation, rare breed and a very good movie. Suffers from rather thin characterization and very simple character designs.

55 - The Old Man and The Sea (1999) - 5
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/71/The_Old_Man_and_the_Sea.jpg

Whoa, this is an absolute masterpiece. That's all I need to say.

56 - Pinnochio (1940) - 4- (re-watch)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/ba/Pinocchio-1940-poster.jpg

Classic Disney, from the times when Disney made good stuff. (:D) Very touching simple and elegant film and the animation is awe inspiring in some parts (the whale action sequences are amazing and show how much effort was spent on this film). A must watch.

57 - Mr. Bug Goes to Town (1941) - 1
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/20/MrBugGoesToTown.jpg/220px-MrBugGoesToTown.jpg

Arid and lifeless. Easily among the most boring films I ever watched.

Mr Minio

06-12-14, 04:59 AM

Have you seen Dream of Ridiculous Man, Guap?

Guaporense

06-12-14, 12:14 PM

Haven't watched the other stuff from this guy. I surely will in the future.

Mingusings

06-12-14, 01:08 PM

The Returned (2014): 2_5
Stranger by the Lake (2014): 2
Source Code (2011): 4
L'enfant (2005): 3_5
The Science of Sleep (2006): 4
The Godfather (1972): 4_5
Five Easy Pieces (1970): 3
Millennium Actress (2001): 3_5
True Romance (1993): 4

Mr Minio

06-12-14, 01:56 PM

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b300/spacemonkey_fg/Blog%20Pictures/Hobo8.png

Lo straniero di silenzio [The Silent Stranger] (1968) - rating_4 (great spaghetti western. Anthony has Indiana Jones kinda adventure and uses cheesy Bond-like one-liners)
Kuolleiden talvi [Winter of the Dead] (2005) - rating_2_5 (mediocre Finnish zombie apocalypse short)
Hobo With a Shotgun (2011) - rating_2_5

Hobo with a Shotgun notes:
>> intro music is Riz Ortolani (Cannibal Holocaust) tribute (this time it's similar, but not the same like in Treevenge)
>> Technicolor? wow!
>> like the trash movie (literally in the beginning!) style of it
>> superhero flick villain and freakin' lady dancing and moaning in red rain? that's sick!
>> not a fan of brutality
>> Sometimes Hauer sounds like Duke Nukem
>> fighting violence with violence xD
>> i'm all smeared up in blood, let's talk like it's nothing instead of taking shower
>> robocop hellriders from pink gothic castle? the hell
>> what the hell is this octopus doin' there?
>> worst speech ever just after the worst outfit ever
>> figures the 'glory hole' is not exactly what I thought it is...
>> braindead reference
>> that's some bloody gorefest with no pay-off
>> lame ending i predicted in the middle
>> cool credits music

jiraffejustin

06-12-14, 03:01 PM

You forgot about the school bus scene.

Mr Minio

06-12-14, 03:14 PM

Yeah, it's nothing worth mentioning and kinda spoiler-alert stuf. It's well fit to the general violence presented in the movie.

The Gunslinger45

06-12-14, 08:07 PM

Well I had an opportunity to watch more movies with my lack of an internet connection over the past week . In addition I also made a not to watch more movies with longer running times to get those films out of the way.

The Godfather Part II (rewatch)- Not as good as the first one, but still an excellent flick! 4

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes - If gentlemen prefer blondes, why the hell was I ogling Jane Russell the whole movie? 3.5

The Red Shoes - Trying to see more English films and this is absolutely brilliant! I can see why Scorsese likes it so much. 4.5

The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp - Another Powell and Pressburger movie. Also excellent! Need to see more from these two. Also my new favorite British movie. 4.5

Magnolia - Had some good parts and excellent performances, but unless Charlton Heston is playing Moses I ain't buying raining frogs. 2.5

Grease - A classic musical... for some reason. 3

seanc

06-12-14, 08:13 PM

So many people don't like the frogs, I love the frogs. Many people don't like the musical interlude, I love it. Magnolia is fantastic with or without both those things. Glad you back and the move went well Gunslinger.

Daniel M

06-12-14, 08:23 PM

So why didn't you like Magnolia then? Because of they end? Seems a bit odd, it's unlikely, but you just accept it happens.

The Gunslinger45

06-12-14, 08:32 PM

So why didn't you like Magnolia then? Because of they end? Seems a bit odd, it's unlikely, but you just accept it happens.

Several reasons. First, like Altman, PTA does very little for me. Boogie Nights was good, but not so much There Will Be Blood despite excellent performances.

As for Magnolia I really could not connect with a large part of the characters. Tom Cruise in particular who I thought was playing a horrible human being. I like Phillip Seymor Hoffman, and Julianne Moore was great and William H Macy was good as well. But the rest of the characters I either did not like, did not care for or thought was dull.

Also I really did not like the opening sequence trying to show coincidence. Seems a bit forced.

jiraffejustin

06-12-14, 10:11 PM

Have you seen Stairway to Heaven, Gunslinger? It's almost as good as Colonel Blimp. I still haven't seen The Red Shoes, I suppose I need to see that one.

The Gunslinger45

06-12-14, 10:27 PM

Have not seen Stairway to Heaven. The Red Shoes is an excellent film.

Daniel M

06-13-14, 08:41 AM

Several reasons. First, like Altman, PTA does very little for me. Boogie Nights was good, but not so much There Will Be Blood despite excellent performances.

As for Magnolia I really could not connect with a large part of the characters. Tom Cruise in particular who I thought was playing a horrible human being. I like Phillip Seymor Hoffman, and Julianne Moore was great and William H Macy was good as well. But the rest of the characters I either did not like, did not care for or thought was dull.

Also I really did not like the opening sequence trying to show coincidence. Seems a bit forced.

Well that is kind of the point, he's meant to be a critique of himself but also give us a fascinating character, the film is about children who have been neglected by their parents, and this is the harsh results as well as many of the others.

The Gunslinger45

06-13-14, 11:35 AM

Well that is kind of the point, he's meant to be a critique of himself but also give us a fascinating character, the film is about children who have been neglected by their parents, and this is the harsh results as well as many of the others.

I got the theme of broken families and neglected children. But that did not make Tom Cruise's character interesting IMO.

Captain Spaulding

06-13-14, 11:43 AM

I got the theme of broken families and neglected children. But that did not make Tom Cruise's character interesting IMO.

http://media1.giphy.com/media/s4QLdNLm1MXNC/giphy.gif

The Gunslinger45

06-13-14, 11:44 AM

http://media1.giphy.com/media/s4QLdNLm1MXNC/giphy.gif

Fine by me. I was not so silently judging him! :D

Daniel M

06-13-14, 12:55 PM

A shame, one of the most fascinating characters ever created in my opinion, made all the more so because of the actor playing him, he's critiquing himself and many other roles of similar alpha male characters in the past, in a tragic way that makes you feel slightly sympathetic despite his personality. Should have won an Oscar in my opinion.

mark f

06-13-14, 04:02 PM

Winter Solstice (Josh Sternfeld, 2004) 2+
Arnulf Rainer (Peter Kubelka, 1960) 1+
Hidden Assassin aka The Shooter (Ted Kotcheff, 1995) 2
Crash (Paul Haggis, 2004) 3.5-
http://cdn.mos.totalfilm.com/images/c/crash-2004--00.jpg
Thandie Newton and Matt Dillon have another, different, close encounter. Although the satirical first half gives way to a more somber wrap-up, this is still a worthwhile look at an ever pertinent subject.
A View to a Kill (John Glen, 1985) 2.5
The Glory Guys (Arnold Laven & Sam Peckinpah, 1965) 2
Captain Kronos - Vampire Hunter (Brian Clemens, 1974) 2.5-
The Journey of August King (John Duigan, 1995) 2.5+
http://lebeauleblog.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/patric-journey-of-august-king.jpg
Widowed North Carolina farmer Jason Patric decides to protect runaway slave Thandie Newton (again) from capture, thus knowingly violating the law.
Power and Beauty (Susan Seidelman, 2002) 2+
The Day Mars Invaded Earth (Maury Dexter, 1963) 1
The People of the Kattawapiskak River (Alanis Obomsawin, 2012) 2
Jodorowsky’s Dune (Frank Pavich, 2014) 3.5-
http://www.theaterthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Dune.jpg
Visionary but naive Director Alejandro Jodorowsky, a Harkonnen soldier and producer Michel Seydoux during pre-production of “the greatest movie never made”.
Henry's Crime (Malcolm Venville, 2010) 2
Scattered Clouds aka Two in the Shadow (Mikio Naruse, 1967) 2.5
Would You Rather (David Guy Levy, 2012) 2
The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson, 2014) 3.5
http://www.portlandmercury.com/binary/14f2/1394732546-film1-570x300.jpg
Lobby boy Tony Revolori and concierge Ralph Fiennes get involved in art theft, a prison break, fascist police, ski jumps, murder and love.
Grace Unplugged (Brad J. Silverman, 2013) 2
The Incredible Melting Man (William Sachs, 1977) 1+
The Gauntlet (Clint Eastwood, 1977) 3.5
Oculus (Mike Flanagan, 2014) 3-
http://i.imgur.com/nNzvN3o.jpg
Karen Gilian and brother Brenton Thwaites try to find out if and how the old mirror has caused several deaths, including those of their parents.

Sane

06-13-14, 06:50 PM

Louisiana Story (1948) - Robert J Flaherty
Pretty poorly acted and in many ways it's just an ad for an oil company (who paid for it) but the cinematography is amazing. rating_4

Deathdream (1974) - Bob Clark
I'm not exactly Clark's biggest fan but his early horror movies were pretty good from what I've seen. This is about a guy returning from Vietnam as a zombie. Not sure why he was a zombie ... he just was. It's pretty restrained for a horror movie and has its faults but overall it's decent. rating_3

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) - Tobe Hooper
I've seen this many times over the years and kind of expected not to be impressed now that I'm ... more mature ;) But, it's a good film. Decent acting, scary atmosphere and actually quite well shot. rating_4-

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) - Irving Pichel/Ernest B Schoedsack
Pretty silly in parts but mostly entertaining and I've always like Fay Wray. rating_3+

Dave (1993) - Ivan Reitman
Not a fan of Reitman's work but I generally like Kevin Kline. This is a good idea but nothing more than an OK movie. rating_2_5

The Seventh Continent (1989) - Michael Haneke
Haneke's debut is a really interesting story of a family's slide into depression. rating_4

The Turin Horse (2011) - Bela Tarr/Agnes Hranitzky
A stunning movie - my favourite of Tarr's so far. A repetitive and depressing movie of a father and daughter waiting for "the end". rating_5

Confidence (2003) - James Foley
Could find nothing in this to grab my attention. In some ways it's probably OK but I just completely lost interest and remember pretty much nothing about it. rating_2

8 Mile (2002) - Curtis Hanson
I feel like I should dislike this because it's pretty manipulative and has a bad script but Eminem actually created quite a compelling character which made it worth watching. He should act more. rating_3_5

The Last Woman on Earth (1960) - Roger Corman
Trashy sci-fi movie. It was actually hard for me to come up with a rating because whilst most of it was bad I enjoy post-apocalyptic movies and was never disinterested. So I rated it rating_1_5+ on quality but in terms of the hour of my time it took up I didn't feel that it was a complete waste.

High Noon (1952) - Fred Zinnemann
Not 100% sure why this is considered such a classic but it is definitely a very enjoyable movie - and I tend not to love westerns. rating_4-

Asian Movie Challenge Movies:

Earth (1930) - Aleksandr Dovzhenko rating_4
Three Monkeys (2008) - Nuri Bilge Ceylan rating_4+
Vive L'Amour (1994) - Tsai Ming Liang rating_4_5-
Jujiro (1928) - Teinosuke Kinugasa rating_3
Gate of Hell (1953) - Teinosuke Kinugasa rating_4_5
The Place Promised in Our Early Days (2004) - Makoto Shinkai rating_3_5
Ju Dou (1990) - Zhang Yimou rating_3_5-
In the Realm of the Sense (1976) - Nagisa Oshima rating_2_5
Life and Nothing More ... (1992) - Abbas Kiarostami rating_4_5
Once Upon a Time in Anatolia (2011) - Nuri Bilge Ceylan rating_4+

Mr Minio

06-13-14, 07:38 PM

The Turin Horse is a masterpiece. You got it right, Sane.

honeykid

06-13-14, 07:46 PM

Sane, what did you like so much about Once Upon A Time In Anatolia?

Sane

06-13-14, 07:56 PM

Sane, what did you like so much about Once Upon A Time In Anatolia?
Visually it was fantastic in the first half so that was a big thing.

Aside from that it was how the themes were presented as part of what appeared to be a crime movie. Of the three movies of Ceylan's I've seen he seems to like to deal with relationships between people - particularly families. As this movie built we were presented, via mostly simple conversations, with a few characters who had their own personal, mostly family related, issues to deal with. The recurring story of the woman who predicted her own death was an example of that as we hear about it for two hours but find out who it probably actually was towards the end.

I also really like the end in terms of how it related to the doctor and perhaps some of his history.

Overall I felt it was very well written and developed interesting characters throughout.

Pussy Galore

06-13-14, 08:07 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/6/6b/Original-poster-marriage-of-maria-braun.jpg/220px-Original-poster-marriage-of-maria-braun.jpg
It wasn't really enjoyable. I see the point, to show how hard it was for a women to live in postwar germany and this girl Maria Braun decides to take matter in her own hand and not be a victim of the social, political, econonical situation in her country. I still maintain that it was boring and to long.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d3/Five_easy_pieces.jpg/220px-Five_easy_pieces.jpg
Not really my kind of movie. A guy who seems to be alienated everywhere he goes, he finds a girl with whom he seems pretty happy, but she's with his brother and doesn't want to leave him. A realistic approach that might be successfull, but as Maria Braun was a little boring, but not as Maria Braun, I still kind of enjoyed that one.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e7/22_Jump_Street_Poster.jpg/220px-22_Jump_Street_Poster.jpg
Really funny, it laughs at action franchise and how repetitive it is with all the sequels. Honestly the movie itself might not be that good, but it was one of the funniest movie I've ever seen, so for that I five it a lot of credit.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Bound_for_glory_Poster.jpg/220px-Bound_for_glory_Poster.jpg
Fantastic movie! Beautiful visually, great main character Hal Ashby is a director I will want to watch other things

bluedeed

06-13-14, 11:51 PM

Sane, what did you like so much about Once Upon A Time In Anatolia?

It's a Kiarostami influenced version of Stalker, what's not to love?

rauldc14

06-14-14, 12:00 AM

I can see not liking Maria Braun, PG. I'm shocked u didn't like Five Easy Pieces though.

Harry Lime

06-14-14, 01:07 AM

Have you seen Stairway to Heaven, Gunslinger? It's almost as good as Colonel Blimp. I still haven't seen The Red Shoes, I suppose I need to see that one.
I haven't seen Stairway to Heaven, but I have seen A Matter of Life and Death.

mark f

06-14-14, 01:14 AM

I've seen both. :)

honeykid

06-14-14, 10:31 AM

It's a Kiarostami influenced version of Stalker, what's not to love?
Well, that, apparently.

mark f

06-15-14, 11:15 AM

Sea Devils (Raoul Walsh, 1953) 2
Loose Screws aka Screwballs II (Rafal Zielinski 1985) 1.5-
Thirteen Women (George Archainbraud, 1932) 2
A Time for Drunken Horses (Bahman Gobadi, 2000) 3
http://soulart.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/tempo-de-embebedar-cavalos.jpg
Iranian Kurd Ayoub Ahmadi loves his crippled brother Madi Ekhtiar-dini and tries to get him across the Iraq border to get an operation.
The Hour of 13 (Harold French, 1952) 2
The Woman on Pier 13 (Robert Stevenson, 1949) 2
Something Borrowed (Luke Greenfield, 2011) 2
Bill Cosby: Himself (William H. Cosby, Jr., 1983) 3+
http://i0.wp.com/nbastreets.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/0000screen-shot-2010-07-17-at-12-27-43-pm.jpg?resize=497%2C303
Bill Cosby mimicking one of his kid’s reactions to almost any question. During this filmed record of one of his concerts, he also talks about partying, childbirth, dentists, his parents, and his wife.
A Common Man (Chandran Rutnam, 2013) 2
The Pirates of Blood River (Jack Gilling, 1962) 2+
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (John Whitesell, 2011) 2
Man on a Tightrope (Elia Kazan, 1953) 2.5
http://www.mardecortesbaja.com/Man-on-a-Tightrope003.jpg
Czech circus owner Fredric March tries to get his troupe from behind the Iron Curtain across the border into Austria, but what will it cost him?
Loving Jezebel (Kwyn Bader, 1999) 2
Ramona (Henry King, 1936) 2.5-
Goofy Movies Number Three (No Director Listed, 1934) 2
Muppets from Space (Tim Hill, 1999) 2.5
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/R94eV8nxvrA/hqdefault.jpg
The Muppets (and humans) watch in awe as they have a close encounter of the weird kind.
Doctor in Distress (Ralph Thomas, 1963) 2.5
State Property (Abdul Malik Abbott, 2002) 1+
Heaven Help Us (Michael Dinner, 1985) 3
Times and Winds (Reha Erdem, 2006) 3
https://c1.staticflickr.com/7/6146/5923493110_0e5f770db2_z.jpg
Three children share time together where they can dream of a future far away from their harsh lives.

seanc

06-15-14, 11:41 AM

I was just watching some Bill Cosby Himself clips on youtube this morning Mark. Classic stuff, his delivery is masterful. Still have not seen his new special, I need to track it down.

Skepsis93

06-16-14, 07:17 AM

Eraserhead (David Lynch, 1977) 3.5
Amarcord (Federico Fellini, 1973) 3
The Lego Movie (Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, 2014) 4.5
Killer of Sheep (Charles Burnett, 1979) 3-
Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979) 4
In the Company of Men (Neil LaBute, 1997) 4
The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) 3+ (tempted to lie so I could get an internet fistbump :()
The Lost Weekend (Billy Wilder, 1945) 3.5

http://johnmariani.com/archive/2012/120115/Lost-Weekend-2.jpg

http://mmimageslarge.moviemail-online.co.uk/Amarcord2.jpg.asset_rgb.jpg

Guaporense

06-16-14, 10:30 AM

Heavy Metal - 4+
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/2c/Heavy_Metal_%281981%29.jpg
Canadian adult animated film (animated film count: 62), one of the very few adult feature length western animations, in this case of collection of short stories with a very good music background though I would put more proper heavy metal music into the film (Black Sabbath was the only HM band in the soundtrack) like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6izkJcIoZx4

X-Men: Days of Future Past - 4
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/0c/X-Men_Days_of_Future_Past_poster.jpg
Pretty good, in fact, one of the most entertaining movies I have watched in a while.

Lucas

06-16-14, 06:26 PM

Russian Ark 3.5
An ode to Russian art and culture, and a massive technical achievement. The entire film was done in one take! If I knew more about Russian history I might like this even more.

http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mekzsaW7i41rnt597o1_400.gif

The Long Goodbye 4+
I adore neo-noir, and this is definitely a great one. Elliott Gould is remarkably cool in this film as Detective Philip Marlow, a 40's era detective living in the 70's. He has a Bogart'esque coolness to him, and he might just be one of the coolest characters ever. I was focusing really hard while watching this on the case, but the next time I'll watch it'll be to soak in the atmosphere.

And how damn cool was that cat? Best pussy I've seen in a film in quite some time.

http://31.media.tumblr.com/36c5ae78606ff64948b16eb7c6538b5e/tumblr_mmmi4jAmwo1s852lfo8_500.gif

Infernal Affairs 4
A thrilling crime drama about two sides of the same coin. One character is a mob mole in the Police, and the other is a Police mole who has infiltrated the mob. Much more energetic and entertaining than The Departed,making up for it's lack of polish with raw,pulsing energy.

http://twi-ny.com/infernalaffairs.jpg

Orchestra Rehearsal 3-
An okay late-career film from Fellini. Very toned down and downright minimalistic compared to the audacious surrealism one may be accustomed to with his later films.

https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/cdn.operanorth.co.uk/uploads/image_asset/asset/130/cropped_Orchestra-Rehearsal_event-image.jpg

Goodfellas 5
One of my "Go-To" movies. Basically a movie I can literally watch at any time and i'd be entertained. Goodfellas is a slick,thrilling,entertaining,and engaging film about the Mafia lifestyle. It shows the highs, the lows and all the parts in between. This movie is a perfect showcase of why Scorsese is one of the most revered filmmakers ever. Everything about this film is perfect. The story, acting,soundtrack,cinematography,etc is all top notch. This film feels "alive", and I can't help but come back to it again and again. Goodfellas is perfect.

http://media.giphy.com/media/nHXOz2WKeseJy/giphy.gif

Duel 3+
A nice little gem from early on in Spielberg's long and illustrious career. An average Joe's life is threatened when a mysterious man maneuvering a towering tractor-trailer. The movie is very well-directed and there are a few thrilling moments, but the movie never really makes you feel that the main character's life is truly at stake. Nonetheless, this is an okay film but its not the masterpiece that he would end up making 4-years later.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Q-XSQpNE8FM/Sif3JVjt83I/AAAAAAAAAcU/4wr-nyGNJ2w/s400/Duel+(1971)+-+movie+still.jpg

Moon 4+
I never expected to think that this could be so damn good. Moon is a sci-fi film, yet its not about explosions,or CGI sh*t exploding everywhere. It is a restrained,almost minimalistic character study that asks us big questions about humanity. It is a philosophical film with Blockbuster coating. Yummy. Sam Rockwell's performance is incredible, it..is...great. I loved this movie.

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lme3vtHR961qgavwyo1_500.gif

And last but not least, I'm giving a shout out to an outstanding short film I saw recently.

Kitchen Sink
This 14-minute short is in a way a sister-piece to Eraserhead....but way better! The sound design is immaculate, the photography is stellar and a dark,eerie feeling permeates every frame. It has already jumped to a cozy little spot as one of my favorite short films ever.

Watch It.

http://i80.photobucket.com/albums/j167/serialfilms/KITCHENSINK-Woman.png

Here's the link homies.

http://vimeo.com/2635830

Swan

06-16-14, 06:30 PM

And how damn cool was that cat? Best pussy I've seen in a film in quite some time.

Sure was finicky though. :p

honeykid

06-16-14, 06:30 PM

Moon is a sci-fi film, yet its not about explosions,or CGI sh*t exploding everywhere.
Isn't that most good sci-fi, though? That's what I'm told, anyway.

I didn't really get into Moon. It did nothing for me.

Lucas

06-16-14, 06:39 PM

Isn't that most good sci-fi, though? That's what I'm told, anyway.

I didn't really get into Moon. It did nothing for me.

First of all, I really love character studies and Moon was perfect for me in that regard. I thought it presented it's ideas in a very natural and interesting way, and Rockwell did an excellent job. The movie didn't depend on CGI spectacle or action to entertain you, and thats something you don't see often in modern Sci-Fi films. I just thought the film was a breath of fresh air, and I love it's little hints towards Solaris and 2001

Sure was finicky though. :p
Yeah that pussy was never satisfied.

Mr Minio

06-16-14, 07:06 PM

La leggenda di Kaspar Hauser [The Legend of Kaspar Hauser] (2012) - rating_4

http://2012.ifistanbul.com/dosyalar/filmler/La-leggenda-di-Kaspar-Hauser-116-b.jpg
Before he finds Kaspar and wiggles his butt, Gallo decides to wave his hands just as UFOs fly by.

Werner Herzog made a movie about this guy Kaspar Hauer, didn't he? You probably want to ask me two questions. First, if it resembles Herzog's version in any way. Second, if you can come up with anything new in the story. And the answers are no and yes, respectively. Except for the very basic skeletal plot structure, which shows that the director derives from true events more than German eccentric's flick, Manuli's modernist manifesto is a whole new approach to the story of Kaspar Hauser. The very first take, which shows Vincent Gallo in Freddie Mercury pose summoming UFOs in the rhytm of DJ Vitalic's catchy tune reveals it's not going to be your average flick. And it's only the beginning of this otherworldly tour de force of electronic music and Vincent Gallo's "Yeah" Sheriff alluring ass-shakin'. If I was a lady, he would have me, but since I'm male and straight all I can say is that he got the moves, alright. It's not easy to describe this film and it's much easier to just watch it. If you're into modernist cinema, chances are you will love it.

Struktura kryszta³u [The Structure of Crystals] (1969) - rating_4

http://pixhst.com/avaxhome/fc/75/001475fc_medium.jpeg
"It's almost like in Chekhov!"

Black'n'white intellectual drama made by highly regarded Polish filmmaker Krzysztof Zanussi. Its relatively simple plot helps the character study. The protagonists know a lot, but I was rather impressed with their knowledge than constrained with their intellectualized mumbling. It's hard to write about it without getting into plot, but I don't want to spoil anything. Good cinematography as well.

憂国 [Patriotism] (1966) - rating_4

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/bO-w-cn-pJM/hqdefault.jpg
A film-testament?

The director, famous writer, Yukio Mishima, commited ritual suicide, harakiri, four years after he directed his only film, Patriotism. It's quite amazing how this 30 minute short contains both moments of total delightful beauty as well as disturbingly graphic images of dying. A must see.

10 Minutes (2002) - rating_3_5

http://www.unsungfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/10-minutes_01.jpg
War is bad. No sh*t!

As the title suggests, it lasts only for ten minutes, but achieves quite a lot. In obvious juxtaposition it compares a moment in two cities in Europe. Obviously, it's alright in one of them, but in the second there's war going on, so it can't be alright. The good thing is that the Sarajevo part was all shot in one Children of Men-like take. Impressive, if not a little banal.

¯ycie rodzinne [Family Life] (1970) - rating_4

http://www.kinopodbaranami.pl/images_lib/doc_3651_2.jpg
A prodigal son or father?

Another Krzysztof Zanussi film that tells a story of a man, who returns to his home after a couple of years has passed. He's not greeted with open arms and has his friend with him, who, no matter if he wants or not, has to hear all private stuff going on between the son and his family. The friend eventually becomes a part of all this (quite literally, given protagonists' sister, amazingly acted by Maja Komorowska, is a horny lunatic). No matter what happens, everybody loses. The acting is wonderful and all actors gave 100% of their abilities to make the movie not only an interesting family drama, but also exhibition of interesting characters.

The Fourth Dimension (2001) - rating_3_5

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3097/a04072601avi002985415.jpg
The sexiest part of the movie.

Witty essay film that tries to portray contemporary Japan, its culture and tradition and throw in some philosophy about time. T. Minh-ha Trinh seems to be obsessed with her 'moving images' that reflect 'ordinary things in extraordinary ways' and tries to modify them using various tricks like slow motion, multi-coloured filters and changing the size and shape of the screen. The opening shot with an inside view of a car on a highway starts to minimize and then wanders all around the screen, just like the director tries to transcend the screen and find a new place for her images she just eternized. The other way around, two red rectangular filters appear at both sides of the screen and seem to limit the screen's size, or more importantly, viewer's attention restraining it to narrow vertical part of the image. There's a bunch of monks with umbrellas going for a walk and then one of them turns around and looks at the camera. It brings to mind Chris Maker's masterpiece Sans soleil and the narrator saying he doesn't know how to tell these people you're not supposed to look at the camera. At times the narration of The Fourth Dimension is too obviously hinting at some industrial problems and talking about government limiting people's will, or some stuff like this, but besides it's a nice piece all around. Look out for long scenes of parades and weird (to us - non-Japanese) rites. If you like that kind of stuff, go for it.

Slnko v sieti [The Sun in a Net] (1962) - rating_3_5

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJUZYRP9cWrFtyDZRelLTHycsRfV4-2-HRyzc6YdHWK1rKI2od
The eclipse like this happens only once in 120 years, or it's at least what they say in the movie.

As always with Czech (or should I say Slovak?) films of the era, the cinematography is simply gorgeous. It's said to be the first Czechoslovak New Wave film and no wonder it is, because it mostly relies on visuals and atmosphere with its skimpy plot. All the scenes involving the blind mother and eclipse are outstanding, but the rest is just okay. Did I mention the cinematography is great?

mark f

06-16-14, 07:14 PM

Just watched Kitchen Sink - gave it 3.5. Thanks Lucas. :cool:

Mr Minio

06-16-14, 07:21 PM

Kitchen Sink? Yet another film I watched before mark f and other people there. <braggin> Watched it 21 May 2013.

PS: I rate it 3.5 as well.

rauldc14

06-16-14, 08:52 PM

Double Indemnity 9.5/10 (Rewatch)
http://www.filmnoirblonde.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/double_sunglasses11.jpg
The movie gets stronger and stronger with each and every rewatch. Simply put, Billy Wilder is a genious. Another movie that I consider a pioneer of a genre, this one being the film noir. The performances from Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck are stellar. The movie is from 1944 but it really hasn't aged a bit in my eyes.

Wake in Fright 5/10
http://drafthousefilms.com/_uploads/films/29252/s8__large.jpg
I liked the movie for the first 45. The rest just wasn't any good to me. Could just be me. The kangaroo killing scenes were a bit weird for me too. Just wasn't an overall fan of the film.

40 Year Old Virgin 6.5/10 (Rewatch)
http://www.hollywoodchicago.com/sites/default/files/HF7Y8788_40-year-old-virgin_blu-ray.jpg
A very funny film, in fact I know I am probably under rating it, but it is what it is. Steve Carrell is fantastic and funny in the lead role. Most of the supporting cast provides laughs as well. It's your typical good 2000s comedy film. It was pretty fun to do a commentary on this one, lots of good one liners.

The Muppet Movie 7/10
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/OGD-sZuWYa0/maxresdefault.jpg
I enjoyed seeing this film. It had some Wizard of Oz ish elements to it so of course I appreciate that. The journey itself was short of spectacular but it was a fun and warmhearted film. I've always enjoyed the Muppets to a degree and this was a pathway to their success.

Rear Window 10/10 (Rewatch)
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/09/22/arts/windowcap/windowcap-blogSpan.jpg
A rewatch based on doing a movie commentary with Godoggo. A masterpiece from master of suspense. This film is all about suspense and mystery. We are led on a murder investigation trail by LB Jeffries, who along with Stella and Lisa Fremont work together to prove that a murderer lives within their apartment complex. The setting of the film is one of the greatest I've seen. And the concept of being stuck with LB Jeffries with only his apartment point of view was pure genius from a Hitchcock. Easily one of my favorite films of all time, especially since it really introduced me to classic film. James Stewart and Grace Kelly in the same film is a good reason this film is a top 3 film for me.

High Plains Drifter 8/10
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nk6H2w9bkK4/Uky7OWUVGPI/AAAAAAAAKGU/6GtegK6GDDs/s1600/high_plains_drifter_red.jpg
Another solid film from Eastwood. Other than Unforgiven, this may actually be my favorite Western I have seen him direct. Eastwood is in badass mode as usual as The Stranger, whom saves the town from three outlaws who had killed the town Marshall Jim Duncan. It's an interesting story, one worth watching even if you aren't the greatest of Western fans.

JayDee

06-16-14, 09:12 PM

The Long Goodbye (Robert Altman, 1973) rating_3+ (tempted to lie so I could get an internet fistbump :()

Don't worry Skepsy, I've got you.

http://images.free-extras.com/photo/f/fist_bump_cat-102.jpg

You're pretty much at what I'd also rate it. Now if you want a great crime thriller with Elliott Gould try The Silent Partner (that's just for you Mark :D)

mark f

06-17-14, 03:28 AM

No Impact Man: The Documentary (Laura Gabbart & Justin Schein, 2009) 2.5
Man Bait aka The Last Page (Terence Fisher, 1952) 2
Stolen Face (Terence Fisher, 1952) 2+
The Happy Time (Richard Fleischer, 1952) 3
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YzsvYOP8tmQ/U4OprzczxZI/AAAAAAAAD20/U_4j6_k2owU/s1600/happytimecelebrate.jpg
Teenager Bobby Driscoll is at the age he’s finding out about sex due to the family maid Linda Christian, but his father Charles Boyer and crazy uncles Kurt Kaszner and Louis Jordan toast him anyway.
The Abyss (James Cameron, 1989) 3+
The Terminator (James Cameron, 1984) 3.5
MASH (Robert Altman, 1970) 2.5
Patton (Franklin J. Schaffner, 1970) 4
http://s.admin.clip.vn/uploads/13/06/51c3c18f22e3073093.jpg
General George S. Patton (George C. Scott) tells General Omar Bradley (Karl Malden) about his fear of a bullet coming straight for his nose.
Light It Up (Craig Bolotin, 1999) 2+
Big Miracle (Ken Kwapis, 2012) 2.5+
Soldiers of Fortune (Maxim Korostyshevsky, 2012) 2
Broadway Danny Rose (Woody Allen, 1984) 3.5
http://www.lassothemovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Broadway-Danny-Rose-1984-41.png
Just before Thanksgiving, small-time agent Woody Allen gets in trouble when he chaperones a client’s girlfriend, Mia Farrow, who’s also a mobster’s moll.
Leave It to Beaver (Andy Cadiff, 1997) 2
Cool It (Ondi Timoner, 2010) 3
No, My Darling Daughter (Ralph Thomas, 1961) 2+
Lola (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1981) 3+
http://thefadeout.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/lola1.jpg?w=470
In 1950s Germany, singer Barbara Sukowa works at a bordello and is at the center of a romantic triangle and a corruption scheme in Fassbinder's beautiful neon pastels.
The History Boys (Nicholas Hytner, 2006) 2.5
The Best Man (Pupi Avati, 1997) 2.5
Federal Hill (Michael Corrente, 1994) 2.5
Kitchen Sink (Alison Maclean, 1989) 3.5
http://static.filmmakermagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Wigon-51-620x348.jpg
If you find something like this in your kitchen sink, even in your nightmares, don’t do what Theresa Healey does.

Skepsis93

06-17-14, 05:46 AM

Kitchen Sink? Yet another film I watched before mark f and other people there. <braggin> Watched it 21 May 2013.

PS: I rate it 3.5 as well.

Well if we're doing this now... I saw it in 2012, MoFo (3.5)

donniedarko

06-17-14, 11:55 AM

Well if we're doing this now... I saw it in 2012, MoFo (3.5)

2012 here too, I think I gave it a 3/5

linespalsy

06-17-14, 12:25 PM

King Kong (Peter Jackson, 2005) 4.5
Upright Citizens Brigade: Asssscat (Eric Cochran, 2008) 2.5
Ghost Story (John Irvin, 1981) 2.5
Basic Instinct (Paul Verhoeven, 1992) 2.5
Juwanna Mann (Jesse Vaughan, 2002) 0.5

mark f

06-17-14, 01:25 PM

Hey lines, we give the same rating to King Kong! :cool:

Swan

06-17-14, 10:13 PM

Mannequin (Michael Gottlieb, 1987) – rating_2
Sexy Beast (Jonathan Glazer, 2000) – rating_3_5+
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie* (Luis Buñuel, 1972) – rating_4
Friday the 13th: A New Beginning* (Danny Steinmann, 1985) – rating_3+
Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead (Joe Cross & Kurt Engfehr, 2010) – rating_3_5
The 40-Year-Old Virgin* (Judd Apatow, 2005) – rating_4+
WR: Mysteries of the Organism (Dusan Makavejev, 1971) – rating_4+
Slumber Party Massacre III (Sally Mattison, 1990) – rating_1
Jodorowsky’s Dune (Frank Pavich, 2013) – rating_4_5
Scream 4* (Wes Craven, 2011) – rating_4

*Rewatch

mark f

06-18-14, 01:55 PM

The Unholy Four aka The Stranger Came Home (Terence Fisher, 1954) 2
Dead Space: Downfall (Chuck Patton, 2008) 2.5
Hands of the Ripper (Peter Sasdy, 1971) 2
Night Falls on Manhattan (Sidney Lumet, 1996) 2.5
http://auto.img.v4.skyrock.net/2998/4082998/pics/3164849218_1_8_eMfTZtqe.jpg
Assistant D.A. Andy Garcia is assigned a high-profile case by superior Ron Liebman, but ultimately the young man gets embroiled investigating a corruption scandal which hits close to home.
The Circle aka The Fraternity (Sidney J. Furie, 2002) 2
A Look Back at Crossbow (No Director Listed, 1965) 3
Thunderstruck (John Whitesell, 2012) 2
Midway (Jack Smight, 1976) 2.5
http://www.discshop.se/img/rec_foton/midway5.jpg
Ensign pilot Edward Albert is greeted by his captain father Charlton Heston, a planner for the Battle of Midway. They both will fly in the upcoming battle.
What a **** Am I Doing on This Battlefield (Julian Fezans & Nico Peltier, 2013) 2
Love and a Bullet (Kantz & Ben Ramsey, 2002) 1.5
A Night at the Roxbury (John Fortenberry, 1998) 2.5
Fanny (Joshua Logan, 1961) 3.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KvpaKMypSKU/TZH562zuW2I/AAAAAAAAGNs/pFsimxCV4XQ/s1600/bscap0006ea7.jpg
In Marseille, Fanny (Leslie Caron) and Marius (Horst Buchholz) are in love, but they both have other prospects – she from wealthy roué Maurice Chevalier and he from a sailing ship bound for a five-year trip around the world.
Operation Dumbo Drop (Simon Wincer, 1995) 2.5
30 Beats (Alexis Lloyd, 2012) 1.5+
Slaughter High (George Dugdale, Mark Ezra & Peter Mackenzie Litten, 1986) 2
Prometheus (Ridley Scott, 2012) 3.5
http://img1.gtimg.com/ent/pics/hv1/11/88/1122/72980501.jpg
On a distant planet, archaeologists Noomi Rapace and Logan Marshall-Green and android Michael Fassbender find strange evidence of an alien civilization.
Jeff, Who Lives at Home (Duplass Bros., 2011) 2.5+
Chloe (Atom Egoyan, 2009) 2-
One in the Chamber (William Kaufman, 2012) 2-
The Truth About Cats & Dogs (Michael Lehmann, 1996) 3-
http://iluvcinema.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/The-Truth-About-Cats-and-Dogs-10093873.jpeg
Ben Chaplin falls in love with veterinarian/radio personality Janeane Garofalo’s voice but when he tries to meet her, he mistakes her attractive neighbor Uma Thurman for her.

honeykid

06-18-14, 02:32 PM

Nice to see a good rating for The Truth About Cats And Dogs. :up:

The Gunslinger45

06-18-14, 09:35 PM

Knocked out a few movies the last two days.

Amadeus 4

Blood Simple 3.5

Labyrinth 3

Swan

06-18-14, 10:08 PM

Prometheus (Ridley Scott, 2012) rating_3_5

Good to see some love for this movie.

mark f

06-19-14, 09:44 PM

Been watching some masterpieces since my last post. :rolleyes:

Captain Thunder (Alan Crosland, 1930) 1.5
One True Thing (Carl Franklin, 1998) 2.5+
Jump Into Hell (David Butler, 1955) 1.5+
God Is the Bigger Elvis (Rebecca Cammisa, 2012) 2.5
http://antydotum.pl/Anty/Grafika/Wbpanty/PwS/Siostra/1.png
Dolores Hart gave Elvis Presley his first on-screen kiss, but at age 24, she gave up her career to enter a convent where she has stayed and been the Prioress since 2001.
Night Catches Us (Tanya Hamilton, 2010) 2.5-
Pacific Heights (John Schlesinger, 1990) 2+
Ten Days to Tulara (George Sherman, 1958) 1.5+
Under the Roofs of Paris (René Clair, 1930) 2.5
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzo82o3V7q1qfrnyao1_500.jpg
Parisian street singer Albert Préjean is attracted to the popular Pola Illéry and lets her stay at his place when she gets the key to her apartment stolen.
True Crime (Clint Eastwood, 1999) 2.5
Nightwish (Bruce R. Cook, 1990) 2
Leprechaun 4: In Space (Brian Trenchard-Smith, 1996) 1.5
It Happened Tomorrow (René Clair, 1944) 3-
http://www.cinema-francais.fr/images/affiches/affiches_c/affiches_clair_rene/photos/demain10.jpg
Just after cocky newspaperman Dick Powell (center) meets and falls in love with the niece (Linda Darnell) of phony clairvoyant Jack Oakie, he’s given the gift of tomorrow’s newspaper.
Never 2 Big aka Butter (Peter Gathings Bunche, 1998) 1.5
The Laramie Project (Moisés Kaufman, 2002) 3
Juwanna Mann (Jesse Vaughan, 2002) 1.5
Don Juan DeMarco (Jeremy Leven, 1994) 3
http://www.reklama-mama.ru/fototusa/2012/130130132325-bir4j0lvtkvxdriiin2smxng.jpg
After he attempts suicide, Johnny Depp is treated by psychiatrist Marlon Brando who’s fascinated by his conviction that he’s the legendary lover Don Juan.
Harvard Man (James Toback, 2001) 2-
The Country Bears (Peter Hastings, 2002) 2
Running Free (Steve Kroschel, 1994) 2
Hands Over the City (Francesco Rosi, 1963) 2.5
http://matchcuts.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/24dvd-1-600.jpg?w=450
Naples property developer Rod Steiger, supported in the upcoming elections by the right wing in power, says he wants to help the poor masses, but is he just out for himself?

honeykid

06-19-14, 11:06 PM

I liked Don Juan de Marco. Remember seeing that at the cinema.

Monkeypunch

06-21-14, 01:03 AM

Robocop(2014) - There's one major problem with this film. It's not the original. It's not as gleefully nasty, it's not as satirical, it's not as gross, or as funny, or as blasphemous as Paul Verhoeven's classic Jesus/Frankenstein/Batman mash up. But it's really not bad. The new film takes on modern concerns (Drone warfare, the loss of liberty in exchange for safety, dehumanization through technology, and corporations influencing the government), and it has a good cast (Michael Keaton, Gary Oldman, and Samuel L Jackson all give good performances). If you keep comparing it to the original, you're not going to get anything from it, but watch with a kind of open mind, and there's some merit. Certainly better than the remake of Verhoeven's other Sci-Fi cult classic, Total Recall. 2.5

How to Train Your Dragon 2 - This is how you do sequels. I loved the first one, and this one is fantastic as well. We catch up with Hiccup, our non-conformist viking hero, and his dragon companion, Toothless, five years after the first film. He's come into his own as a young adult, he's changed the world around him for the better, and he even has a girlfriend. His father is grooming him to become the next chieftan, and he isn't sure he wants that. When his way of life is threatened by a power mad dragon poacher, Hiccup has to step up and be the man that his tribe needs...but who is that, exactly? Amazing animation, lots of laughs and thrills, and a deeper, more involved story make this a must see. 5

mark f

06-21-14, 06:33 AM

Pure Country 2: The Gift (Christopher Cain, 2010) 2
Stealth Fighter (Jay Andrews [Jim Wynorski], 1999) 1.5+
Kill Theory (Chris Moore, 2009) 2
The Ear aka Ucho (Karel Kachyna, 1970) 3
http://www.cinemaldito.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Ucho-3.jpg
Czech ministry official Radoslav Brzobohatý and his wife Jirina Bohdalová return home from a ministry party and argue about their marriage and his job, all the while becoming increasingly paranoid because they know that Big Brother is listening.
Prince of Darkness (John Carpenter, 1987) 2
Dread (Anthony DiBlasi, 2009) 2.5
The Suburbans (Donal Lardner Ward, 1999) 2
The Notorious Bettie Page (Mary Harron, 2005) 3-
http://www.eujacksonville.com/pages/06-07-07/MOCA_films_bettie_page.jpg
Bettie Page (Gretchen Mol) became known in the fifties for her photos and movies of bondage and discipline, although in her private life, she was very sweet and innocent.
Runner Runner (Brad Furman, 2013) 1.5+
The New Guy (Ed Decter, 2002) 2
Premium Rush (David Koepp, 2012) 2.5+
Jackie Chan's First Strike aka Police Story 4 (Stanley Tong, 1996) 3
http://cdn3.whatculture.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/jackie-chan-first-strike.jpg
Cop Jackie Chan tracks a spy who may have stolen a nuclear warhead to the Ukranian mountains where he tries a deadly stunt.
Taxi (Tim Story, 2004) 2
Curious George (Matthew O'Callaghan, 2006) 3-
Life Blood (Ron Carlson, 2009) 1.5
Tulpan (Sergei Dvortsevoy, 2008) 2.5+
http://www.coffeecoffeeandmorecoffee.com/archives/tulpan%202.jpg
On the remote Kazakhstan steppes, ex-Russian sailor Askhat Kuchencherekov and friend Tolepbergen Baisakalov dream of a better life, but for now, Asa’s having difficulty finding a wife.
The Brood (David Cronenberg, 1979) 2
The Sea Hawk (Michael Curtiz, 1940) 3+
The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy (Tanner Beard, 2011) 1.5
Outbreak (Wolfgang Petersen, 1995) 3-
http://www.bujuqfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/outbreak-1995-movie-wallpaper1.jpg
A team consisting of Cuba Gooding Jr, Kevin Spacey and Dustin Hoffman inspects an African village for a dangerous virus. Later they must do the same thing closer to home.

cricket

06-21-14, 09:58 AM

The Brood (David Cronenberg, 1979) 2
The Sea Hawk (Michael Curtiz, 1940) 3+

I almost taped The Sea Hawk but I don't have a lot of room on my DVR, so I only taped Captain Blood, which was on before it.

I love The Brood, I find it pretty creepy.

Mr Minio

06-21-14, 08:04 PM

mark f has been watching some "masterpieces" while I've been watching some masterpieces recently. ^^

http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/famine-33/w448/famine-33.jpg?1339392482

Голод-33 [Famine-33] (1991) - rating_4_5 (a movie in there with Come and See for the most depressing film ever made. I wouldn't even call it disturbing, because to me disturbing should be used for horrors or other stuff with just people being torn apart by a chainsaw guy or vomiting all around their bodies. That's disturbing. And sick. This movie is just horrific. It's about the famine that took place in Ukraine in 1933 after Stalin decided to take away about 90% of farmer's harvest. It resulted in horrible famine and death of millions. The film starts with a scene of soldiers taking away all food of a family. It's very strong and it's just the beginning. The film shows a lot of atrocities, but don't expect some gore stuff like in some horror flicks. It's very realistic, though and there's a lot of death hanging in the air. The famine is so strong that people start to kidnap kids to eat them. All people who protest are shoot at and their bodies - no matter if dead or not - are thrown in pit with fire burning at the bottom. The scene with all these bodies on train car is... no words. A must see.)
http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/el-sur-3.jpg
El sur [The South] (1983) - rating_4_5 (It's very poetic and has a kind of fairy-tale vibe to it. It's a great study of children psyche. Oh, and the cinematography is just beyond words. My second Erice film and his second masterpiece - can't wait to watch the movie about the painter)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RyP_tYn517Y/Tdv1bY1Ae9I/AAAAAAAACqI/MGY67LFDyuI/s1600/Violated%2BAngels%2B-%2BOkasareta%2BHakui.avi9.jpg
犯された白衣 [Violated Angels] (1967) - rating_3_5 (Just another Wakamatsu. I didn't expect it to make any sense and indeed it didn't. It's again about a lunatic killer. It's shot in black'n'white with one scene in colour - a nice touch used in Second Time Virgin as well. It's pinku, but in Wakamatsu style. It starts off with a bunch of nurses in dormitory peeking at two lesbian nurses having kinky time. Then the nurses ask over a guy, who was just passing by, to look at them lesbians, but the guy is not your regular man. He does not join the lesbians for kinky triangle, but does something completely different. I like how Wakamatsu tries to make his films artistic, although they are just low budget exploitation flicks. It kinda works, though.)
http://theremainsoftheweb.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Even-Dwarfs-Started-Small.gif
Auch Zwerge haben klein angefangen [Even Dwarfs Started Small] (1970) - rating_3_5 (It was, no kidding, one of the weirdest films I've ever seen. I expected something completely else after mark f's ironical "kinky!" comment. It's a bunch of midgets doing crazy stuff and some kind of a revolution. Well, that's my interpretation, anyway. It's pretty weird. So weird. Oh, and people been comparing it to Werckmeister Harmonies. What the hell?)
Sztandar M³odych [Standard of Youth] (1957) - rating_3_5 (wouldn't expect a Polish short like this. Pretty cool.)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lVNI21Jfi3o/UcSfWlmh0kI/AAAAAAAAHQI/2afSVMluRXw/s1600/tumblr_m1w164wxUt1rrw5cqo1_500.png
Peppermint Frappé (1967) - rating_4_5 (It's amazing! Psychological drama at its best. I especially loved all the innuendos and little details that really made the movie for me. They add the second bottom to the story and enrich it. The plot was probably something new back then. Not as over-used and already-known as now, anyway. Chaplin is good in her double role, but I like her more with black hair. Oh, and I love some of comments this film gets. "Bergman meets Antonioni". xD)
http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3bokmGOXw1qiz3j8o1_500.gif
酔いどれ天使 [Drunken Angel] (1948) - rating_4_5 (I'm starting to like Kurosawa more and more. Have to rewatch Ikiru and Seven Samurai, because as I was skeptical at first, I'm starting to love his work. It kind of reminds me of film noir, but in Japan with Yakuza. The scene with Mifune "opening" the door is poetry. Great performances from both Mifune and Shimura. And it has a scene with Mifune dancing!)
http://i609.photobucket.com/albums/tt171/shieldmaiden_pics/Voyage/wp22s_zps9767e92d.jpg
Тихие страницы [Whispering Pages] (1994) - rating_4_5 (It's Sokurov's homage to XX century Russian literature. It has some scenes from Crime and Punishment, and although it's not even half of them I think it's the best film version of the book. Sokurov makes his takes look like moving paintings and Raskolnikov roam the city. There's a very little talk in the first part, but in the second, when Raskolnikov speaks with Sonia Sokurov throws in a lot of dialogue. Pretty amazing anyway and it only needs the axe scene shot in one 20-minute long take to become the best movie ever made.)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7-n78odbGyA/URoaga7CUPI/AAAAAAAADqY/tWnnd_bgoQ4/s1600/Underworld+9.jpg
Underworld (1927) - rating_3_5 (At first the not-too-serious gangsters were really bothering me, but then I learned to like them. A cool film with killer dialogue - of course written down in intertitles. It looks like it started the gangster flick boom.)
http://michaelgloversmith.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/outskirts.jpg
Окраина [Outskirts] (1933) - rating_4 (The fraternization scene was amazing. An impressive anti-war movie, especially given it was made in 30's USSR. It was until 1941 that Stalin didn't want any problems with Germans, so that may be the reason why the film could've been made under such circumstances; The again, Ribbentrop-Molotov pact was in 1939, but no matter the making of the movie whereabouts, it takes place during WWI and Russian soldiers are dying on front wishing the war ends [which of course happens after the Tsar is overthrown]. Same for Germans and they are even allowed to walk around Russian cities and find work. Of course they are hated by Russian people, but there's one German who meets a Russian girl...)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-el7_nrsl7S8/TVl4OfsrAgI/AAAAAAAACBs/SLtKZYtpWbg/s1600/to+you+moscow+6.png
Тебе Москва [To You, Moscow] (1947) - rating_1_5 (Russian propaganda animation. It starts with a "pious" narration on how Moscow was tormented by Poles [who actually entered Moscow in 1610 and made the Tsar bow before Polish King, it was until 1612 that Russians managed to drive Polish out of Moscow] and then Napoleon etc. After the quick history lesson, we've got some World War II "Fascist Nazi can't break Russian spirit" talk and then "Glory to Stalin!!!!!"[+42343434 exclamation marks] It's too much even for me. Great music and decent visuals saved it from being total garbage.)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_0yVG9aOJZG0/TD3_3b2ec5I/AAAAAAAAAHU/wwp7hTyEoRQ/s1600/Stranger+on+the+3rd+Floor00006.jpg
Времена года [The Seasons] (1975) - rating_4 (Peleshyan's no-commentary essay film with striking images and beautiful classical music.)
2 Eisenstein's Mexican Footage (1931) - rating_2_5 (Just some takes of Mexicans dancing and some other stuff. It lasts for 10 minutes and my rating is very generous, but hey, I'm still to watch his last film - documentary about Mexico.)
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvt6XKBw_6o/TrkZgWWEd4I/AAAAAAAAAMs/P6aibTM7q0g/s640/protectedimage-2.php.jpeg
Edipo re [Oedipus Rex] (1967) - rating_3_5 (Pasolini's version of the tragedy. It's full of symbolism and metaphors with nice visuals and music. Oedipus first flees screaming, then attacks screaming as well. And that's a good metaphor for the whole movie. It's allegedly just your normal book adaptation, but then you start to perceive all these details. It starts in 1920's Italy, then takes place in Greece [or is it, it looks like Tunisia or Israel with all this sand] and in the end it's the 60's. Pasolini plays with time as he plays with the viewer.)
http://24fpsverite.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Walking-the-Streets-of-Moscow.jpg
Я шагаю по Москве [Walking the Streets of Moscow] (1963) - rating_4_5 (I can't believe there's a comedy film I rate four and half a star. Well, it's not a one hundred percent comedy, but it has some moments. I laughed several times, which as you know is a rare thing with me. And yes, Vampire Nicolas Cage is an exception. The movie stars Nikita Mikhalkov, who was very young back then, and features him, a girl and two other guys walking the streets of Moscow. They all have their problems and things to do and it's nice to observe them. An ultimate feel-goodness flick.)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m742k7a9If1qb5tu1o1_500.gif
伝説の午後いつか見たドラキュラ [Emotion] (1966) - rating_4_5 (It's from Obayashi - the director of Hausu and, no matter how hard is it to believe, it's even crazier and weirder! It's a homage to a French kitsch vampire flick I haven't seen [gotta watch it] and plot-wise is really hard to follow. I just let it flow and take me in. Incredible experience. There's a vampire playing keyboard, then dancing, then doing other crazy stuff THEN attacking people and killing some THEN laying on the grass with banana coming off his mouth. Two girls, one of which was born from the sea. Two cowboys having a duel (!!!) and one of them playing an instrument before dying after he was shot (!!!) then both get up and without their cowboy hats run around happily. The music is amazing, from reflective slow tunes to jazz it's a perfect accompaniment for visuals. There's a lot of filters, flickering colours, even some screen deformations. In the end the narrator says: "Well, it's all over. Now you can think about it!". I will, indeed. In fact I feel like watching it again. It's only 40 minutes. If you liked Hausu you will probably like it. Well, IMHO it's even better than Hausu and I really love Hausu.)
http://www.hkcinemagic.com/en/images/movie/large/lovetokill-elisabethlee_dannylee_fda7ac85f8985841276b256da511d369.jpg
虐之恋 [Love to Kill] (1993) - rating_3_5 (My first CAT III film. I heard these films are very violent and this one indeed is, but I was quite surprised with the amount of humour in it. Of course it's low and the acting is hammy, but the story was good. It's about a husband doing horrible things to his wife. Not going to spoil anything else.)

bluedeed

06-21-14, 10:45 PM

http://alsolikelife.com/shooting/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/el-sur-3.jpg
El sur [The South] (1983) - rating_4_5 (It's very poetic and has a kind of fairy-tale vibe to it. It's a great study of children psyche. Oh, and the cinematography is just beyond words. My second Erice film and his second masterpiece - can't wait to watch the movie about the painter)

The South is his worst film, and it's a great film. I'll confidently say that The Quince Tree Sun is his greatest film, certainly his most profound. This sounds silly in talking about an oeuvre that's only three features, but I like to lobby for his latest film, as can be seen all over the forum.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/images/2299-d5dc045b45647803fb08cd005dea21c3/Orson_large.jpg

I've been pretty busy working at my internship and doing family summer stuff on weekends, but I've been watching some Chaplin recently. I feel like a newbie fool for saying these things that are obvious and reveal some of my glaring viewing gaps, but I was genuinely surprised and delighted that Chaplin emerged from the silent era as such a complex and mature filmmaker. Chaplin's sound work is clearly superior to me than his earlier work. Limelight and Monsieur Verdoux are fairly equally great films, and I think I'd say that the latter has been my favorite overall. A King in New York is not on their level, but still superior to my favorite "silent" film of his, Modern Times. I've still need to watch A Countess from Hong Kong (Chaplin's favorite) and A Woman of Paris, and am more excited and admiring of Chaplin as I've ever been, I've been such a fool in leaving him!

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Pglde9HMEAU/0.jpg

BlueLion

06-22-14, 12:34 PM

http://31.media.tumblr.com/5ab600c4c7fd556e94e19f9559b80c9b/tumblr_mj1pcphZLx1rf0wwwo1_500.gif

Gangs of New York (2002) - 4

Cape Fear (1991) - 3.5

The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) - 3.5

Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005) - 3.5

The Bourne Identity (2002) - 3.5

Y Tu Mamá También (2001) - 3

Battle Royale (2000) - 3

The Lego Movie (2014) - 2.5

meatwadsprite

06-22-14, 01:53 PM

Edge of Tomorrow

http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/edge-tomorrow-tom-cruise-reviews.jpg

Starts off interesting, but gets very generic towards the end. The first scene where Cruise lands in the battle is one of the most intense scenes I've seen for awhile. I think the effectiveness comes in knowing he's going to die, in contrast to most action movies where you know the hero is never going to die.

3

The Dark Knight Rises

http://i2.cdnds.net/12/18/618x258/the_dark_knight_rises_02.jpg

Still a very frustrating movie for me, it delivers on half of it's promise. But every time I watch it, I can't help but imagine if it delivered on all of it.

3.5

Wreck it Ralph

http://www.soundonsight.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/wreck-it-ralph-trailer.jpg

Videogame movies are always terrible. Wreck it Ralph is leagues above all of that garbage, but still it's barely interested in games and what they are about. Instead it uses games as a backdrop to tell a very by the books story. John C. Reilly sounds very disinterested.

2.5

Inception

http://www.liveforfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/Inception_still2323.jpg

4

The Grand Budapest Hotel

http://worldofwynne.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/grand-budapest-exterior-mendls.jpg?w=626&h=417

Visually it's brilliant, even compared to Wes Anderson's previous stuff. But I'm getting tired of his usual, sterile style of telling stories. I would love to see a movie from him that I couldn't tell was his within the first minute.

3

mark f

06-22-14, 07:24 PM

Fortunes of Captain Blood (Gordon Douglas, 1950) 2
Taking Back Our Town (Sam Pillsbury, 2001) 2.5+
Consenting Adults (Alan J. Pakula, 1992) 2
Alive (Frank Marshall, 1993) 3
http://postimg.com/86000/snap3-85918.jpg
The Uruguayan rugby team (including Ethan Hawke) tries to survive in the freezing Andes after their plane crashes, leaving them with limited rations and their faith in God.
Apache Ambush (Fred F. Sears, 1955) 2-
Battlefield Earth (Roger Christian, 2000) 1 Camp Rating: 3.5
Jawbreaker (Darren Stein, 1999) 2
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (Peter R. Hunt, 1969) 3.5
http://www.top10films.co.uk/img/On-Her-Majestys-Secret-Service.jpg
European gangster’s daughter Diana Rigg becomes Mrs. to Mr. James Bond (George Lazenby).
Trading Mom (Tia Brelis, 1994) 2
Derailed (Mikael Håfström, 2005) 2+
Gitmek: My Marlon and Brando (Huseyin Karabey, 2008) 2+
The Return of the Prodigal Son (Evald Schorm, 1967) 2.5
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ATlydR9NT8o/T9BV6haAkMI/AAAAAAAALtA/NxYybudp7TA/s1600/Navrat.ztraceneho.syna.1966.snapshot_00.48.05_%5B2012.06.07_00.17.13%5D.jpg
Assigned to an asylum after he attempts suicide, married architect Jan Kacer is goes out on the grounds with his doctor’s interested wife, Dana Medrická.
Made of Honor (Paul Weiland, 2008) 2+
Leviathan (George P. Cosmatos, 1989) 2.5
Slackers (Dewey Nicks, 2002) 2
The Wolverine (James Mangold, 2013) 2.5+
http://cdn.24.co.za/files/Cms/General/d/2455/22dffea8aae44eff92e91a8e981f6e5b.gif
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) protects the granddaughter, Tao Okamoto, of a soldier he saved during WWII in Nagasaki.
Hell Up in Harlem (Larry Cohen, 1973) 2
Shake Hands with Danger (Herk Harvey, 1980) 2
Wet Hot American Summer (David Wain, 2001) 2.5
Monsieur Lazhar (Philippe Falardeau, 2011) 3+
http://locoxelcine.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/profesor-lazhar-1-locoxelcine.jpg
Monsieur Lazhar (Mohamed Fellag), an Algerian refugee living in Canada, takes over a class for a teacher who committed suicide in her room, but he gets through to most of the kids, including his favorite student Sophie Nélisse.

Swan

06-22-14, 07:28 PM

I'm always terrified of seeing Enemy or Under the Skin in your posts, Mark, because I know you'll give them horrible ratings.

Mr Minio

06-22-14, 07:30 PM

Looks like you like Lazenby's Bond, mark. I like it too. :) A lot of people seem to hate him and the part he's in.

mark f

06-22-14, 07:36 PM

I'm always terrified of seeing Enemy or Under the Skin in your posts, Mark, because I know you'll give them horrible ratings.
You mean they're comparable to Battlefield Earth? :cool:

Swan

06-22-14, 07:37 PM

No, your ratings will be higher than that, but I can't see you giving them more than 2.5. They just are not your style at all.

mark f

06-22-14, 08:09 PM

My style? The one that likes psychological thrillers like Take Shelter, The Innocents, Timecrimes, Tell No One, Memento, Fight Club, Rosemary's Baby, The Magician, The Manchurian Candidate (62) and Vertigo (3.5 and higher)? Or the one who thinks less of Requiem for a Dream, Repulsion, Videodrome, Persona, Blue Velvet, The Tenant, Hour of the Wolf, and The Brood (2.5 or lower)?

Swan

06-22-14, 08:09 PM

The one that thinks less of Persona.

honeykid

06-22-14, 08:10 PM

Mega Shark Vs Mecha Shark 1.5 - A bad, bad film. Maybe I didn't pay it enough attention, but that's because my friends and I were laughing at it too much to hear everything. The attempts at backstory and character creation were terrible and not entertaining, either. It was senseless nonsense. When it finished, my friend just didn't know how to put into words what he'd seen. "If I tried to tell someone what that was all about, I don't know where I'd start" were his words to the best of my recollection. Other comments included "You could divide that into 10 minute chucks, mix them up, and it wouldn't matter." The film ends with the words "we've got some explaining to do". I think the film should start with that, then have a title card which reads "48 hours earlier" or however long the narrative timeline is. See, I can't even tell you the timescale of the narrative.

BTW, does anyone know if someone's cloned Michael Bay? Because that's how it looks. It looks like someone who'd never seen film before had been sat in front of Michael Bay's oeuvre and the previous 'Shark' movies, then told to make a film like that. They also decided to throw in a few Jaws nods and quotes.

I had an entertaining time watching it, but had I sat and watched it alone, I think this is the best rating I could've given it.

mark f

06-22-14, 08:19 PM

The one that thinks less of Persona. My rating might say no love, but does that mean I don't think it's worthwhile (http://www.movieforums.com/community/showthread.php?t=17362&highlight=persona)?

Swan

06-22-14, 08:21 PM

Nice. I hope you find these worthwhile as well.

Daniel M

06-23-14, 08:47 AM

I remember liking On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but it recently seems to be received as one of the stronger, underappreciated Bonds that would have been great without Lazenby, so I really want to re watch it sometime to see if I love it as much as some of the other Bond films that I do :)

Cobpyth

06-23-14, 05:18 PM

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3bokmGOXw1qiz3j8o1_500.gif
酔いどれ天使 [Drunken Angel] (1948) - rating_4_5 (I'm starting to like Kurosawa more and more. Have to rewatch Ikiru and Seven Samurai, because as I was skeptical at first, I'm starting to love his work. It kind of reminds me of film noir, but in Japan with Yakuza. The scene with Mifune "opening" the door is poetry. Great performances from both Mifune and Shimura. And it has a scene with Mifune dancing!)

Looks fantastic. Thanks for making me aware of it!

Mingusings

06-23-14, 05:44 PM

Snowpiercer (2014): 4
Neighbors (2014): 2
A Million Ways to Die in the West (2014): 2_5
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014): 3
The French Connection (1971): 3
Memories (1995): 3
Happiness (1998): 3_5
The Dreamers (2003): 4_5

The Gunslinger45

06-23-14, 06:25 PM

mark f has been watching some "masterpieces" while I've been watching some masterpieces recently. ^^

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3bokmGOXw1qiz3j8o1_500.gif
酔いどれ天使 [Drunken Angel] (1948) - rating_4_5 (I'm starting to like Kurosawa more and more. Have to rewatch Ikiru and Seven Samurai, because as I was skeptical at first, I'm starting to love his work. It kind of reminds me of film noir, but in Japan with Yakuza. The scene with Mifune "opening" the door is poetry. Great performances from both Mifune and Shimura. And it has a scene with Mifune dancing!)

You make me happy Minio.

rauldc14

06-23-14, 06:42 PM

I couldn't imagine watching so many films in a row that I would rate less than 5/10. Idk how you do it Mark.

mark f

06-23-14, 07:06 PM

It helps I can watch MLB games on Stattracker. :)
1 = 4
1.5 = 4.5
2 = 5
2.5 = 5.5, 6
3 = 6.5

seanc

06-23-14, 07:10 PM

You know you can just multiply by two, right? This feel like something you would normally be saying to one of my posts.:D

mark f

06-23-14, 07:24 PM

I already have the numerical ratings. I'm just trying to fit them into the popcorn boxes, like Mickey Rourke does in Diner. :cool: These are how I translate them.

Swan

06-23-14, 07:42 PM

I couldn't imagine watching so many films in a row that I would rate less than 5/10. Idk how you do it Mark.

It's because Mark is the real work of art.

mark f

06-23-14, 10:38 PM

Design for Scandal (Norman Taurog, 1941) 2
Ten Dollars or Ten Days (Del Lord, 1924) 3
Nine Months (Chris Columbus, 1995) 2.5+
Sound of My Voice (Zal Batmanglij, 2012) 2.5-
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HBC1YZp838o/UdfQPltduGI/AAAAAAAAGNg/sL7_9rNwcjA/s640/bscap0003.jpg
Brit Marling claims to be from the future, so is she telling the truth or is she a cult leader, and if so, for what purpose?
John Ford Goes to War (Tom Thurman, 2002) 2.5
Clues to Adventure (No Director Listed, 1949) 2.5
The Mark of Zorro (Fred Niblo, 1920) 2.5
Kung-fu master! aka Le petit amour (Agnès Varda, 1988) 2.5
http://pixhst.com/avaxhome/00/d0/0024d000_medium.jpeg
Divorcee Jane Birkin lives with her two daughters but meets and becomes attracted to 14-year-old Mathieu Demy who’s obsessed with video games.
The Devil with Hitler (Gordon Douglas, 1942) 2.5
The Man in the Iron Mask (Randall Wallace, 1998) 2.5
Mighty Joe Young (Ernest B. Schoedsack, 1949) 3
Godzilla, King of the Monsters! (Ishirô Honda & Terry O. Morse, 1956) 2.5
http://www.filmbuffonline.com/FBOLNewsreel/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Godzilla54.jpg
Even with new Raymond Burr scenes and a dubbed Takashi ShImura, this B&W Godzilla is more believable than most – it has a somber atmosphere and less-ridiculous FX.
Grown Ups 2 (Dennis Dugan, 2013) 1.5+
Three Colors: Blue (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1993) 3
Three Colors: White (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1994) 2.5
Three Colors: Red (Krzysztof Kieslowski, 1994) 3.5-
http://ms00.mask9.com/mt0x0000/10046/image/201105/movie-red-still-mask9.jpg
Samuel Le Bihan photographs model Irene Jacob who’s about to be embroiled in a mystery of fate.
Ernest Scared Stupid (John Cherry, 1991) 2
Dead Silence (James Wan, 2007) 2.5-
Calling All Girls (Jean Negulesco, 1942) 3
Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999) 3.5
http://24.media.tumblr.com/0eed6cfab57505686be9f350fdab3f45/tumblr_n3gcixUMZL1tpv171o4_500.gif
Mysterious soap salesman Brad Pitt and insomniac frequent flyer Edward Norton have much in common; they even do similar things at the same times.

christine

06-24-14, 02:18 AM

Daniel M

06-24-14, 08:31 AM

I had the displeasure of watching quite a bit of Grown Ups 2 the other day Mark, and you're rating might be a bit generous, it makes the first Grown Ups look like a masterpiece :p

honeykid

06-24-14, 08:31 AM

I had the displeasure of watching quite a bit of Grown Ups 2 the other day Mark, and you're rating might be a bit generous, it makes the first Grown Ups look like a masterpiece :p
The horror! :eek:

mark f

06-24-14, 12:33 PM

Mark you brought back memories for me talking about Mighty Joe Young. It was the feature presentation once at Saturday morning pictures when I was about 8 all those years ago. I'd gone with a different friend that week, one who'd never been to the pictures without her parents , not like us mob of kids who'd been going to Saturday morning pictures since we were about 6. When Mighty Joe turned up on screen I turned to look at her and her eyes were as big as saucers. With that she slid down the seat and ended up on the floor crying her eyes out so bad I had to take her home halfway through the film. I was as mad as hell! I loved Saturday morning pictures! Did you have them too Mark?
I'm not sure if we're talking about the same thing, but I remember watching Lili one Saturday at someplace like a library or community center and being completely entranced by the puppets, just as Lili was. We also had after-school movies in elementary (primary) school which I attended about once a month. For 10 cents we'd get a bag of popcorn and watch a Laurel & Hardy feature or a western. I started going to the theatre on Saturdays at an early age - dropped off with my younger brother and best friend before I was a teenager to spend four+ hours at a double feature.

I had the displeasure of watching quite a bit of Grown Ups 2 the other day Mark, and you're rating might be a bit generous, it makes the first Grown Ups look like a masterpiece :p
Yeah, early on I had no doubt that it was a 1/5. My wife even came out and started to pay attention to it, and I warned her it would rot her brain. Later it seemed to improve, but that + should be deleted, for sure. I've had the good fortune to miss the first Grown Ups thus far. :)

Daniel M

06-24-14, 05:24 PM

Yeah, early on I had no doubt that it was a 1/5. My wife even came out and started to pay attention to it, and I warned her it would rot her brain. Later it seemed to improve, but that + should be deleted, for sure. I've had the good fortune to miss the first Grown Ups thus far. :)

You've seen far more of these movies I'd consider bad than myself, so I'll trust your rating, but having thought the first one was not good, I saw about (the last) 40 minutes of the second one and thought it was so much worse so I'd say 1 myself. Don't really fancy watching it all the way through to make sure :p

Mr Minio

06-24-14, 06:42 PM

After I've given so many 4.5s I sharpened my ratings. Or maybe it's the films I've been watching recently.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MNzHAOUOvhU/U5k0zMbznfI/AAAAAAAABoE/rBupr0kTcOM/s1600/Nachalo.jpg
Начало [The Beginning] (1970) - rating_3_5 (glorious juxtaposition of comedy and drama in this debut Joan of Arc performance and crazy love triangle film. )
http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ly4aj7wXJ41r98leoo1_500.gif
Paranoid Park (2007) - rating_3 (Besides that abomination Psycho it's my least favourite Van Sant so far. Still a decent flick with solid cinematography and few good scenes, namely the shower one and the one on the GIF)
http://media.giphy.com/media/zMWAEQzyh9dqU/giphy.gif
Twins of Evil (1971) - rating_3_5 (It looks like Hammer Horrors are really my thing. I didn't love it as much as Captain Cronos, but it was still damn good. The sisters were the breast, I liked Cushing's performance as well. Gotta watch more Hammer.)
http://37.media.tumblr.com/66357e78c578034285a6cd151d960b79/tumblr_n45n9qIPoi1sfmrpuo1_500.jpg
Breza [The Birch Tree] (1967) - rating_4 (Poetry. Killer visuals. Great story of inner change. Everybody should watch it.)
Тема [The Theme] (1979) - rating_4 (Пушкин пять языков знал, а я ни черта. A glorious film about the playwright, his fan who figures not to really be one. It's full of mysteries, long takes and good acting. Me gusta.)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/gabbeh/w448/gabbeh.jpg?1289432699
گبه [Gabbeh] (1996) - rating_3_5 (Poetic. Lyrical. Visuals. Not quite in there with Moment of Innocence and lacks a final punch the aforementioned film had, but for what it is it's pretty original and nice to look at.)
http://www.themilfordmessenger.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/last-stand-trailer.jpg
The Last Stand (2013) - rating_2_5 (One does not simply f*ck up Arnie's day off. Just your usual cliché action movie that rips off a lot of other flicks and is quite cool about it. [ Batmobile. xD ] Well, actually that's the idea to be like this, but it's not new, neither. It's always cool to see Arnie kickin' ass, tho and some scenes cracked me up. Like that old lady scene or in the end the red car Arnie slow drive swag. xD Is it a good movie? Negative! Did I have fun? Affirmative! Eventually, I give it the same rating as I gave The Expendables.)

Derek Vinyard

06-24-14, 07:01 PM

Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999) 3.5

i'm glad you like it !!

Lucas

06-24-14, 07:09 PM

http://37.media.tumblr.com/fdd5be8be90352c401508b9667efa04b/tumblr_n0w0neJXKA1r5vp4eo4_500.gif

Under the Skin 4

Now this is a tough film to comprehend, and even tougher to explain. Under the Skin is highly ambitious art-piece, and it really is alot to take in. I'd even go as far as to say that this might be this year's Only God Forgives, by that I mean you are either going to love it or you will loathe it. I really doubt there's going to be much middle-ground. To call this a polarizing film wouldn't be the half of it.

If I risk saying too much I could potentially end up spoiling this film, so I'll just give a barebones description of what the film is about. Scarlett Johansson is a mysterious seductress of mysterious origins who happens to be traveling around Scotland picking up guys in a van. Thats about as much as I can say without heading into spoiler territory. This is definitely a film that might need to be rewatched numerous times to even begin to decipher all it's hidden meanings. Its a visual and sensory experience I doubt I'll forget anytime soon, and those final 10 minutes man. Those final 10 minutes aren't ever leaving my subconscious.

Halloween 2

Meh.

Rob Zombie's reboot does little new with the tale of Michael Myers. This film feels tired,derivative and it has very little new to say. John Carpenter's masterpiece this is not.

Halloween II 3.5+

Underrated.Horribly,horribly underrated.

This might be the most overlooked horrors of the past 20-years. This is a film that does what few other horror sequels can:It shows the Aftermath. What were once cliches and caricatures in the mediocre remake now feel like real,fleshed-out characters. You see how it molds and shapes the victims, and how they cope with the events of the first film. The cinematography and entire visual palette is remarkable this time around, Zombie is able to cast a very thick atmosphere of dread and hopelessness. This feels like a completely different movie from the remake, or any of the previous Halloweens for that matter and I think thats great. Zombie's vision branches out and creates a horror film quite unlike anything else out there.

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ljps2f3rTy1qj0ttxo1_500.gif

Assault on Precinct 13 4

This is the definition of an awesome action flick. It does exactly what it needs to do and it does it perfectly. A violent gang are attacking an almost abandoned Police Precinct in the middle of the night, and the few people that are there have to do their best to survive. The action is perfectly shot, the dialogue is memorable the movie has perfect pacing. It never feels dull for one second, and it doesn't hurt that its only 90-minutes long.

The Raid 2 4

Two and a half wonderful hours of bone-breaking,hammer wielding,baseball swinging,adrenaline filled Kung-Fu action. Pure entertainment and it sets the bar for what a great action film should be.

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news/41214/_1390274818.gif

Werner Herzog Eats his Show 3.5

One of the best shoe-eating films I've seen.

Cobpyth

06-24-14, 07:13 PM

Under the Skin 4

Now this is a tough film to comprehend, and even tougher to explain. Under the Skin is highly ambitious art-piece, and it really is alot to take in. I'd even go as far as to say that this might be this year's Only God Forgives, by that I mean you are either going to love it or you will loathe it. I really doubt there's going to be much middle-ground. To call this a polarizing film wouldn't be the half of it.

Looking forward to it. I do think it's kind of a strange comparison, though, as Under the Skin is widely being regarded as a great piece of art, while Only God Forgives mostly got trashed. I don't want to start a whole new argument again, but I assume this means that Under the Skin will have more interesting, thematic depth to it. :p

Daniel M

06-24-14, 07:13 PM

Now this is a tough film to comprehend, and even tougher to explain. Under the Skin is highly ambitious art-piece, and it really is alot to take in. I'd even go as far as to say that this might be this year's Only God Forgives, by that I mean you are either going to love it or you will loathe it. I really doubt there's going to be much middle-ground. To call this a polarizing film wouldn't be the half of it.

So it's better than Casablanca? :p

http://www.beten.nu/shop/7359/art79/39079-ban-e9cc6d.gif

Mr Minio

06-24-14, 07:26 PM

Under the Skin is a movie I'm waiting for!!! Casabla... oh, alright. Pass.

Swan

06-24-14, 08:26 PM

Looking forward to it. I do think it's kind of a strange comparison, though, as Under the Skin is widely being regarded as a great piece of art, while Only God Forgives mostly got trashed. I don't want to start a whole new argument again, but I assume this means that Under the Skin will have more interesting, thematic depth to it. :p

Yeah, I guess I can see where Lucas is coming from, but... Under the Skin is a LOT better, very different, and like you said, more well-received than Only God Forgives.

You want a movie with an interesting atmosphere? Watch Under the Skin.

Captain Spaulding

06-24-14, 08:46 PM

Under the Skin 4

Halloween 2

Meh.

Rob Zombie's reboot does little new with the tale of Michael Myers. This film feels tired,derivative and it has very little new to say. John Carpenter's masterpiece this is not.

Halloween II 3.5+

Underrated.Horribly,horribly underrated.

This might be the most overlooked horrors of the past 20-years. This is a film that does what few other horror sequels can:It shows the Aftermath. What were once cliches and caricatures in the mediocre remake now feel like real,fleshed-out characters. You see how it molds and shapes the victims, and how they cope with the events of the first film. The cinematography and entire visual palette is remarkable this time around, Zombie is able to cast a very thick atmosphere of dread and hopelessness. This feels like a completely different movie from the remake, or any of the previous Halloweens for that matter and I think thats great. Zombie's vision branches out and creates a horror film quite unlike anything else out there.

The Raid 2 4

I'm surprised to see that you disliked Zombie's first Halloween but really enjoyed the sequel. Even as a fan of Rob Zombie, I think both movies are pretty bad. At least the first half of Halloween attempts to do something different by giving us Myers's backstory (even if such a backstory robs the character of its mystique), but I found the sequel to be borderline unwatchable.

I'm excited about eventually seeing Under the Skin, since it looks like the weird, polarizing, WTF? kind of movie I typically enjoy, as well as The Raid 2, since everyone seems to think that the sequel is even more kick-ass than the first.

donniedarko

06-24-14, 10:13 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2009/12/22/1261498126605/Scene-from-The-White-Ribb-001.jpg

F for Fake (Welles, 1973) 2.5

It's an intriguing documentary, with some intellectual dialect by the narrator and director Orson Welles, but Jesus Christ is he pretentious. Also I didn't think much of that whole "it's been over an hour!" twist.

The Flat (Goldfinger, 2011) 2.5+
From Asian Movie Challenge:

An Israeli independent documentary, that examine a personal relationship between the director, and his revelations about his dead grandparents. Tries to play out as a puzzle, but releases the big picture prematurely. Occasionally touching, with its highly personal creation, and touchy - but delicately handled- subject matter. The director does a great job as an observer, never letting emotion overtake the film.

Bring me The Head of Alfredo Garcia (Peckinpah, 1974) 2.5

My second film from Peckinpah, after being so impressed by Straw Dogs not long ago. The violence in this film was more pointless, even though Peckinpah tries to give it purpose at the end. Great cinematography though, love the mirror shots.

Rewatch: Bruno (L. Charles, 2009) 2
Every once in awhile after watching some clips from The Ali G show on Youtube, I get in the mood to rewatch a Baron Cohen film. Standing next to The DIctator, Borat, and Ali G Bruno is probably only superior to the Ali G film, but it has a few funny moments. More scenes have become obviously staged, than my impressions when I first watched it.

Jolly Fellows (Aleksandrov, 1934) 2
Listed as Moscow Laughs on IMDB

If the cold war was based on 30s comedies, McCarthy wouldn't have a career. Compare this to something like Duck Soup, and it's no wonder in the opening credits the director jokingly lists Chaplin, Keaton, and Lloyd. And this isn't just something I digged up, my parents say this was a real knee slapper in 70s Soviet Union (even though watching now they feel it doesn't hold up). It's just not really smart humor, and only two note worthy gags.

Get Carter (Hodges, 1971) 3

Get Carter starts off really slow and methodical, but really does pick up at the end. The new revelations really kept me gripped. Michael Caine did great at developing his vengeful character, and at the end the out to kill enviorment really hits full blast.

The White Ribbon (Haneke, 2009) 3

Michael Haneke's The White Ribbon, is shot in stunning black and white, fittingly set in a small German village shortly prior to World War I. The story is narrated by the most humanist and sincere character the school teacher, even though the themes of the tales hardly match his. The sadistic and cruel acts depicted usually involve the more noble people of the town and/or the children. Then there's more mysterious and crueler events, mainly the harsh torture of children. A common theme in the film is punishment, chiefly unjust punishment, it seems that the source of these vile acts is from some sort of punisher. The film keeps the audience guessing, trying to remember every small detail- and there are many- to solve the puzzle. The film towards the end goes through intense interrogations and build-up but ultimately leaves an open end. Very similar to Haneke's earliereffort Cache (although The White Ribbon this is way more of a drama, than a thriller). The mystery shows how the audience, similar to the characters, is always searching for a scapegoat. Which makes sense that this film is set right before the first world war, even though it feels much more like a prequel to the second world war.

mark f

06-24-14, 11:11 PM

MGM is on the Move! (No Director Listed, 1964) 2+
Candles on Bay Street (Jon Erman, 2006) 2.5
Green Lantern (Martin Campbell, 2011) 2
The Eagle Shooting Heroes (Jeff Lau, 1993) 3
http://www.artificial-eye.com/database/dvd/ART403DVD/images/01.jpg
Amid a romance between naïve Leslie Cheung and Princess Brigitte Lin, there are tons of wuxia, slapstick, singing and an abundance of crazy characters.
Drive Thru (Brendan Cowles & Shane Kuhn, 2007) 2
Hellraiser: Deader (Rick Bota, 2005) 2
Can't Be Heaven aka Forever Together (Richard Friedman, 2000) 2
Jacob’s Ladder (Adrian Lyne, 1990) 3
http://www.best-horror-movies.com/image-files/jacobs-ladder-1990-bathtub.jpg
Vietnam vet Tim Robbins freaks out at a party when a guest tells him his lifeline says he’s already dead; his resulting fever is treated by an icebath and the comforting hand of wife Elizabeth Peña.
Ice Princess (Tim Fywell, 2005) 2
The Case Against 8 (Ben Cotner & Ryan White, 2014) 3
Hot Summer Night (David Friedkin, 1957) 2
Steamboy (Katsuhiro Ohtomo, 2004) 3
https://i.imgur.com/A6z4qC9.gif
A young English inventor tries out some new technology received from his grandfather which may herald a new age of prosperity or a new Dark Age.
The Marine 3: Homefront (Scott Wiper, 2013) 2
Internal Affairs (Mike Figgis, 1990) 2.5+
Sands of Oblivion (David Flores, 2007) 2-
Corvette Summer (Matthew Robbins, 1978) 3
http://awesomebmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Summer-7-590x331.jpg
When Mark Hamill learns that the stolen Stingray he refurbished may be in Las Vegas, he hitches a ride with hooker-in-training Annie Potts.
Deep Rising (Stephen Sommers, 1998) 2.5+
A Wee Bit of Scotland (James A. FitzPatrick, 1949) 2.5-
Thunder in the City (Marion Gering, 1937) 2.5
Under the Skin (Jonathan Glazer, 2014) 2-
http://24.media.tumblr.com/3db13ed67e661e4ef551de98d125bdf9/tumblr_n0w0neJXKA1r5vp4eo3_500.gif
http://thecinematika.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/under-the-skin.gif
The sci-fi mystery has plenty of skin from Scarlett Johansson, ominous music, oodles of Lynchian weirdness (even the Scottish Elephant Man!), yet nothing remotely profound, so it will be adored.

Captain Spaulding

06-24-14, 11:23 PM

Even though I haven't actually seen it, there's no way Under the Skin is worse than The Marine 3: Homefront. Just the fact that it has "plenty of skin from Scarlett Johansson" automatically makes it better. "Oodles of Lynchian weirdness" doesn't hurt either.

Swan

06-24-14, 11:24 PM

Called it.

Swan

06-24-14, 11:29 PM

yet nothing remotely profound

I thought it was a pretty interesting commentary on self-image, but I'm clueless about profundity so what do I know.

Swan

06-24-14, 11:36 PM

It's also a 2013 movie, Mark. :)

mark f

06-24-14, 11:37 PM

I said it would be adored, but I don't run with the "pack", although I suppose we all have our own pack, and I'm quite comfortable with mine. :cool:

P.S. It only played at film festivals in 2013, so that makes it 2014 for me and all major awards (except the flippin' British Independent Film Awards where it was submitted before its release).

Captain Spaulding

06-24-14, 11:41 PM

I said it would be adored, but I don't run with the "pack", although I suppose we all have our own pack, and I'm quite comfortable with mine. :cool:

http://media.giphy.com/media/58rV3ila5DN0A/giphy.gif

Mr Minio

06-25-14, 06:06 AM

> Lynchian style
> good visuals
> mark f didn't like it

Looks like my kind of movie.

mark f

06-25-14, 07:02 AM

Don't forget slow, repetitious, kinky and silly with no fun and it's almost perfect.

Mr Minio

06-25-14, 07:09 AM

Don't forget slow, repetitious, kinky and silly with no fun and it's almost perfect. But do these apply for Under the Skin?

mark f

06-25-14, 07:11 AM

Of course.

BlueLion

06-25-14, 07:16 AM

http://thecinematika.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/under-the-skin.gif

If Terrence Malick directed Eraserhead, this is what it would have looked like.

honeykid

06-25-14, 07:33 AM

This is a film that does what few other horror sequels can:It shows the Aftermath.
I've not seen either Halloween remake, but the original Halloween 2 also followed on from where the previous film left off.

Swan

06-26-14, 12:07 AM

Stalker* (Andrei Tarkovsky, 1979) – rating_5
Enemy* (Denis Villeneuve, 2013) – rating_5
21 Jump Street (Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, 2012) – rating_3_5
22 Jump Street (Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, 2014) – rating_3+
Leprechaun 3 (Brian Trenchard-Smith, 1995) – rating_2_5
Alien* (Ridley Scott, 1979) – rating_5
Halloween* (John Carpenter, 1978) – rating_5
2001: A Space Odyssey* – rating_5
The Godfather* (Francis Ford Coppola, 1972) – rating_4
Electra, My Love (Miklós Jancsó, 1974) – rating_3

*Rewatch

Guaporense

06-26-14, 01:44 AM

Steamboy (Katsuhiro Ohtomo, 2004) 3
https://i.imgur.com/A6z4qC9.gif
A young English inventor tries out some new technology received from his grandfather which may herald a new age of prosperity or a new Dark Age.

I think I will watch this and Godzilla (1954) for the Asian movie challenge. At least until august.

mark f

06-26-14, 04:44 PM

Sanders of the River (Zoltan Korda, 1935) 2+
Another Man’s Poison (Irving Rapper, 1951) 3-
Jennifer’s Body (Karyn Kusama, 2009) 2+
Querelle (Rainer Werner Fassbinder, 1982) 2.5-
http://www.radiopluriel.fr/spip/local/cache-vignettes/L500xH366/querelle_3-19c8b.jpg
Querelle (Brad Davis) has to pay off his wager to pimp Nono (Günther Kaufmann) which basically means he owes him the private use of his ass.
A Lady's Morals (Sidney Franklin, 1930) 2
Little Secrets (Blair Treu, 2001) 2
That Girl from Paris (Leigh Jason, 1936) 2
Maytime (Robert Z. Leonard, 1937) 3
http://classiccinemagold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Nelson-Eddy-and-Jeanette-MacDonald-%E2%80%93-%E2%80%9CMaytime%E2%80%9D-1937-400x309.jpg
In Paris, opera singer Jeanette MacDonald falls in love with American singing student Nelson Eddy, but she leaves him out of duty to her mentor and fiancé John Barrymore
Music for Madame (John Blystone, 1937) 2.5+
Breakin’ (Joel Silberg, 1984) 2+
Another Pair of Aces: Three of a Kind (Bill Bixby, 1991) 2.5-
Enemy (Denis Villeneuve, 2014) 2.5
http://www.enimerosi24.gr/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/zoze1.jpg
Teacher Jake Gyllenhaal can’t understand why there’s an actor with his exact face also living in Toronto, and the actor wants to know why the teacher seems to be interested in his wife.
Gang Related (Jim Kouf, 1997) 2+
Born to Kill (Robert Wise, 1947) 2.5
The German Chainsaw Massacre aka Blackest Heart (Christoph Schlingensief, 1990) 2
The Double (Richard Ayoade, 2014) 3
http://2020film.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/the-double-mirrors.jpeg?w=550
Shy Jesse Eisenberg meets his confident but exact double at his boring job, and they help each other with what doesn’t come naturally.
Back to Bataan (Edward Dmytryk, 1945) 2
No Orchids for Miss Blandish (St. John L. Clowes, 1948) 2.5-
Beware of Pity (Maurice Elvey, 1946) 2
Calvary (John Michael McDonagh, 2014) 3-
https://nationalmediamuseumblog.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/calvary.jpg?w=584
Just after world-weary, but kind-hearted, priest Brendan Gleeson gets a death threat in the confessional, his daughter Kelly Reilly (from his married, pre-priesthood life) arrives for a visit.

Cobpyth

06-26-14, 04:55 PM

Mark liked The Double! :up:

Mr Minio

06-27-14, 07:50 PM

http://i1191.photobucket.com/albums/z465/jose1969josep/album%2011/YoTeSaludoMariaJeVousSalueMarie-Jean-LucGodard1984avi_snapshot_003604_20130813_152837.jpg
Je vous salue, Marie [Hail Mary] (1985) - rating_3_5 (I didn't like it as much as his 60s efforts, but it's still pretty good and incredibly interesting film. It's in a way a retelling of the story of Virgin Mary and her pregnancy, but told in a weird, beautiful way. I mean, it's something you should expect from Godard, but you don't. Archangel Gabriel slapping Josef owns. Oh, and the difference between 1h47min and 1h15min version is that the first one has a segment with a little girl called Mary. Flaws? I don't know. The ladies look better fully dressed than fully naked?)
http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9birvXd1f1qz9cyp.gif
La belle et la bête [Beauty and the Beast] (1946) - rating_4 (Cocteau's imagination was terrific. The atmosphere in this film is almost impenetrable. Probably the best fairy tale film I've seen. It's not like I've seen a lot, but still... I could really feel that the Beast is a very tragic character. Flaws? I don't know. The very cheesy sweet yet somehow beautiful ending?)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m057g8kIOA1qcpoh9o1_400.gif
Simple Men (1992) - rating_4 (I promised myself to watch all Hartley films chronologically and this is just another step in this direction. After slightly (but only slightly!) worse Surviving Desire Hartley returns with another gem. He makes black comedies and even though I never find these films funny I always feel warmth inside me when I watch them. The ending is just freakin' beautiful. Flaws? I don't know. No Adrienne Shelly?)
http://www.cyfraplus.pl/misc/base/galeria/krajobraz_po_bitwie_008.jpg
Krajobraz po bitwie [Landscape After Battle] (1970) - rating_4 (Perhaps my favourite Wajda. After the camp was freed by Americans the prisoners don't know where to go. They don't know how to live. They still are in there in the camp and realise the liberation was not really what it seemed to be. Germans gone. Americans here. "To live you have to forget". But can you? Flaws? I don't know. The camp prisoners are not skinny enough?)

I love cinema.

Monkeypunch

06-28-14, 12:19 AM

Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke
http://movieguy247.com/iMovies/images/Movies/comedy/up-in-smoke-review.jpg
Somebody on here has to watch these sort of movies, I guess. LOL. Classic dumbass comedy.
5

Guaporense

06-28-14, 12:24 AM

Today I watched 2 great movies: A new one and a classic from the 1980's.

Turin Horse (Bela Tarr, 2011) - 4_5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNkN_xCXozw

Bucolic exploration of the end of the world.

Gunbuster (Hideaki Anno, 1988) - 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0vCY3I5yxo

Direct ancestor to Gurren-Lagann (which is way more over the top) and a classic of it's genre.

BlueLion

06-28-14, 01:13 AM

http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdx0knlrA31qabynso1_r1_500.gif

Bottle Rocket (1996) - 3.5

The Station Agent (2003) - 3.5

21 Jump Street (2012) - 3.5

Pi (1998) - 3

Mad Max (1979) - 3

Under the Skin (2014) - 2.5

Fantastic Planet (La Planète sauvage) (1973) - 2

mark f

06-28-14, 01:32 AM

Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke
http://movieguy247.com/iMovies/images/Movies/comedy/up-in-smoke-review.jpg
Somebody on here has to watch these sort of movies, I guess. LOL. Classic dumbass comedy.
5
"That there looks like a quarter pounder, man."

Mr Minio

06-28-14, 08:26 AM

Turin Horse (Bela Tarr, 2011) - rating_4_5
Gunbuster (Hideaki Anno, 1988) - rating_5

Chinese cartoon better than slow boring film? No wai!*

*Sarcasm.

Daniel M

06-28-14, 11:44 AM

Under the Skin (2014) - rating_2_5

Fantastic Planet (La Planète sauvage) (1973) - rating_2

Swan's not going to be happy. Not seen Under the Skin yet, but why so low for Fantastic Planet?

honeykid

06-28-14, 12:36 PM

Because it's not very good. :p

Nostromo87

06-28-14, 12:40 PM

MacGruber (2010), Jorma Taccone

making life-saving inventions out of household materials, MacGruber. getting in and out of sticky situations, MacGruber. the guy's a f*cking genius, MacGruber !

Rating: MacGruber says up yours rating system

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-npjppnJaU

http://oi57.tinypic.com/2zz3m6u.jpg
http://oi58.tinypic.com/2cnb7va.jpg

mark f

06-28-14, 03:46 PM

Passage to Marseille (Michael Curtiz, 1944) 2.5-
Hotel Berlin (Peter Godfrey, 1945) 2+
The Verdict (Don Siegel, 1946) 2.5+
Snowpiercer (Joon-ho Bong, 2013) 3
http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/hISAQHVPGlA/hqdefault.jpg
Each section of the train consists of a different class of people; this one consists of Oldboy corridor fight lovers.
Fishing Feats (Charles T. Trego, 1951) 2.5
A Fine Pair (Francesco Maselli, 1968) 2+
The Long Kiss Goodnight (Renny Harlin, 1996) 2.5
Broken (Rufus Norris, 2012) 2.5
http://www.britflicks.co.uk/pictures.aspx?id=1019
Eloise Laurence is at the age where school and the neighborhood seem to be dangerous places, but her dad Tim Roth is usually there for her, but that too may be changing.
The Second Face (Jack Bernhard, 1950) 2
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (Richard Thorpe, 1939) 2.5
Three Comrades (Frank Borzage, 1938) 2+
Pretty Maids All in a Row (Roger Vadim, 1971) 3
https://cerebrin.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/vlcsnap-53568.jpg?w=470&h=256
High school guidance counselor/football coach Rock Hudson is having multiple affairs with female students at the same time they start turning up dead on campus.
Thomas and the Magic Railroad (Britt Allcroft, 2000) 1.5
Mission: Impossible (Brian De Palma, 1996) 3
She Hate Me (Spike Lee, 2004) 2+
Munich (Steven Spielberg, 2005) 3.5-
http://weiyinyue.music.sina.com.cn/movie_still/45400_1374781335288.jpg
Not knowing exactly who each other are, Jewish assassination team leader Eric Bana and Palestinian revolutionary Omar Metwally discuss the Middle East and the importance of having a home.
Top Dog (Aaron Norris, 1995) 2
The Rugrats Movie (Igor Kovalyov & Norton Virgien, 1998) 2.5
Don Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 2013) 3-
Mauvais Sang aka Bad Blood aka The Night is Young (Leos Carax, 1986) 2.5
http://bboylenotes.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/mauvaissang.png
Rebel without a cause Denis Lavant dances down the street to David Bowie’s ”Modern Love”.

honeykid

06-28-14, 03:57 PM

I've been wanting to see Pretty Maids All In A Row for a few years now. Nice to see you've rated it well, mark. :)

BlueLion

06-28-14, 04:33 PM

Swan's not going to be happy. Not seen Under the Skin yet, but why so low for Fantastic Planet?

What honeykid said. I didn't really dig the animation and the story wasn't all that interesting.

As for Under the Skin (I know you didn't ask about it), that is not a negative score (a 5/10 means it's alright, or in this case, mixed feelings), but I simply found it to be an unaffecting experience and I don't think there is anything profound about it. Didn't even find it as weird as some people claim it is. Not to mention that they're overrating this dude immensely by comparing him to true geniuses of cinema. If there are people here who consider it a great work of art, though, I'd honestly like to know why.

Lucas

06-28-14, 08:21 PM

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lpkrxcHxLq1qg39ewo1_500.gif
The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser 3.5

A man who has been imprisoned almost his entire life is released into society, and of course adjusting aint' easy yo. I found this film quite good, and I felt heavy sympathy towards the main character. The actor that plays Kaspar is brilliant and he does a perfect job of playing someone who is only now getting in touch with society. So yeah, really good film here.

Nashville 3

Altman's direction is extremely impressive, as is the way he weaves between dozens of characters at once. But unfortunately I'm just not a big fan of country music, never have been. Plus the film is way too long, I had to finish it over multiple sittings.Good film, just not for me.

Deliverance 3.5

Really damn good and terrifying to boot. If you aren't already terrified of insane hillbillies, then you sure as hell will be after this film.

Oh, and Duelin banjos ya'll !

http://media.giphy.com/media/kAq6HQVQmK5WM/giphy.gif

Valerie and Her Week of Wonders 3

Gorgeous surrealist visuals, I mean believe me the imagery is breathtaking. But there's not really much else to it other than that. It was worth viewing but I wouldn't watch it again though.

Black Christmas 4.5-

This is by far my favorite film I've seen from my mini-70's marathon. A moody horror picture with dense atmosphere, and a new favorite horror film from me. I'll probably be checking this one out again sometime towards Halloween.

I really want this film to make the list, so go out and watch it guys! Hopefully this can be one of those hidden gems that might end up making the countdown. If you especially love atmospheric films like The Shining and The Thing then you will adore this.

http://media.giphy.com/media/QIlwRHBKAeYhy/giphy.gif

rauldc14

06-28-14, 08:37 PM

Carrie 6/10
http://videocitylondon.files.wordpress.com/2013/10/carrie_1976_1.jpg
I really wasn't very impressed. The story wasn't anything that I could really care about and the movie didn't provide enough thrills or scares for me to like it ll that much. I mean, it's decent, but nothing to write home about.

Dog Day Afternoon 8/10
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl4wzZdyjMA/UIhpFz4cLjI/AAAAAAAABo8/LJjL-6ECLCQ/s1600/Dog+Day+Afternoon.jpg
A good solid thriller from Sidney Lumet, who ultimately shows off his diverse talents here. A lot of the credit has to go to Al Pacino for an excellent performance as Sonny. I was hooked to the story from the beginning.

Once Were Warriors 5/10
http://readbuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/once-were-warriors.png
Too depressing a film for my liking. I can appreciate the acting though. I can also understand why people would think it is a good film, but it is not my cup of tea.

French Connection 7/10
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Gene_Hackman_in_%22The_French_Connection%22_(screenshot).jpg
A good solid movie, but I can't help to be disappointed by it because I was expecting more. Hackman and Scheider had good performances, but not their best either. I was expecting to be a bit more on the edge of my seat, and while a lot was going on, I somehow expected more. Don't get me wrong, it is a good film though, just not great.

Halloween- 9/10 (rewatch)
http://www.joblo.com/images_arrownews/halloween%201f.jpg

A true pioneer of its genre. I liked it even better the second time around and will be anxiously awaiting it's placement for the 70s list.

mark f

06-28-14, 08:48 PM

I think Halloween is the worst film in your tab. I know some others may agree with you, but not me. :)

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser 3.5

A man who has been imprisoned almost his entire life is released into society, and of course adjusting aint' easy yo. I found this film quite good, and I felt heavy sympathy towards the main character. The actor that plays Kaspar is brilliant and he does a perfect job of playing someone who is only now getting in touch with society. So yeah, really good film here.
Kasper is played by Bruno S., Stroszek himself.

rauldc14

06-28-14, 08:50 PM

I think Halloween is the worst film in your tab. I know some others may agree with you, but not me. :)

Doesn't surprise me :)

Miss Vicky

06-28-14, 08:51 PM

Glad you liked Dog Day Afternoon. :up:

Daniel M

06-29-14, 07:17 AM

Lucas: I'm sorry but the country music complaint about Nashville really irritates me, I don't understand it and why it affects the movie. It's meant to be more satire than serious for a start, it's all part of Altman's offbeat humour. And then the length, which is needed because of how many characters we have, we need time for them to develop effectively the the ending to work, if it was any shorter it wouldn't be anywhere near as good a film. How did you watch this film? Normally I find if you watch long films on a computer it's easy to get distracted, but stick it on a big screen (HD TV in my case), make sure the quality is great, turn off everything else and watch it properly.

Raul: I pretty much agree with Carrie and Dog Day Afternoon, I like The French Connection more, and I side more with Mark on Halloween, although I know a lot of people on here would be on your side :P

honeykid

06-29-14, 08:16 AM

I think you've been generous with French Connection but, as you know, I'm with you on Halloween. Hell, you seem to've forgotten that the ratings go to 10. :D

rauldc14

06-29-14, 10:09 AM

I think you've been generous with French Connection but, as you know, I'm with you on Halloween. Hell, you seem to've forgotten that the ratings go to 10. :D

I have a goofy scale where a 9 pretty much is a ten.

linespalsy

06-29-14, 01:42 PM

The Elephant Man (David Lynch, 1980) 4
Beverly Hills Ninja (Dennis Dugan, 1997) 1.5
Tremors (Ron Underwood, 1990) 2
Girl Most Likely (Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, 2012) 2
Don Jon (Joseph Gordon-Levitt, 2013) 3

Lucas

06-29-14, 01:50 PM

Daniel: Nashville simply failed to really grab my interest, and I just didn't enjoy it all too much. I viewed it on my computer yes, but thats never been a problem for me when viewing extremely long films. I admire Altman's talent and it is a good film, it just didn't appeal to me as much as I had hoped.

mark f

06-30-14, 12:11 AM

Blackbeard, the Pirate (Raoul Walsh, 1952) 2
Bully (Larry Clark, 2001) 2
Gym College (Howard Winner, 1955) 2
Johnny Suede (Tom DiCillo, 1991) 2.5
http://daylifeimages.newscred.com/imageserve/21104b0debfdb8f8f652f2c7eb71cc96/613x.jpg
Brad Pitt takes plenty of time to get his appearance ready for a day of emulating his idol Ricky Nelson.
Apartment 1303 (Michele Taverna, 2012) 1.5
The Big Broadcast of 1937 (Mitchell Leisen, 1936) 2.5-
Radio Bugs (Cyril Endfield, 1944) 2
College Holiday (Frank Tuttle, 1936) 2.5
http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i311/paulath/Anchor%20Pics%209/JackBenny.jpg
Bizarre but fun (?) musical comedy about eugenics, a hotel and a boatload of musical numbers, some of questionable taste and Jack Benny.
Ernest Goes to Jail (John Cherry, 1990) 2
Stake Land (Jim Mickle, 2011) 2.5-
The West Point Story (Roy Del Ruth, 1950) 2
Wild River (Elia Kazan, 1960) 3
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-irLtityDrRE/UJJuXas480I/AAAAAAAAEd4/VcgpuA1JXbE/s1600/wild+river+11.jpg
Jo Van Fleet is being forced out of her ancestral home on her island in the Tennessee River in the early days of the TVA. Her granddaughter Lee Remick is torn between her love for her and TVA man Montgomery Clift.
Frankenstein's Army (Richard Raaphorst, 2013) 2-
So Evil, So Young (Godfrey Grayson, 1961) 2
The Cool Ones (Gene Nelson, 1967) 2-
Without Love (Harold S. Bucquet, 1945) 3-
http://thefilmexperience.net/storage/WithoutLove2.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1400656093262
Scientist Spencer Tracy enters into a marriage of convenience with lonely Katharine Hepburn who becomes his partner working on a high altitude oxygen mask.
If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium (Mel Stuart, 1969) 2.5
Bunraku (Guy Moshe, 2011) 2-
Exit Elena (Nathan Silver, 2012) 1+
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (Stanley Donen, 1954) 3.5
https://lh5.ggpht.com/_uJEJt-Aboz8/S_GF-lchLBI/AAAAAAAACqI/Quz8MFthHVA/Seven%20Brides%20for%20Seven%20Brothers%20Dance%20Scene.jpg?imgmax=640
The barn-raising dance, perhaps the most-brilliant ever done in film, is where six of the brothers find their prospective brides.

cricket

06-30-14, 02:49 AM

I love Bully^^^but I think I'm in the minority.

cricket

06-30-14, 10:49 PM

June, 2014 movies watched-44

Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979) 3.5 Stunningly beautiful with great atmosphere. Also creepy and believable

The Castle of Cagliostro (1979) 2.5 I liked it all the way through; I just wasn't all that into it. Overall as my first Japanese animation, I felt it was a success

The Mirror (1975) 2 Tough rating because I felt like I was watching a pretty special film. On my first viewing, it just didn't translate well for me

Gaslight (1944) 4 *From the top 100 thrills list, this is a must see for fans of old classics. Great performances and a great story

Black Christmas (1974) 3.5 This was one of the best slasher pictures I've seen

Dersu Uzala (1975) 4 I thought my first Kurosawa film was beautiful and touching. I was pleasantly surprised

The Driver (1978) 3 This movie has it's faults, but it's fun and cool with a couple of great car chases

Day for Night (1973) 3.5 Very interesting and entertaining movie about making a movie. I think many of the members here would love this

Lenny (1974) 3 The last third of this went downhill a little for me, but this is a strong biopic with the usual great performance from Dustin Hoffman*

The King of Marvin Gardens (1972) 2.5 I enjoyed this mostly due to Jack Nicholson, but still found it to be pretty average. I think there was a lot of potential here that was missed

The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976) 3.5*This would be one of my favorites from a genre that I've always struggled with

Play Misty for Me (1971) 3 A little silly at times but entertaining

The Tin Drum (1979) 4 This German award winner is twisted, darkly funny, original, and pretty brilliant

The Gambler (1974) 3.5 Probably a lot more interesting and enjoyable for me than most people. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending

Sunset Boulevard (1950) 3 I enjoyed it with no complaints. It's obviously a terrific film, just not quite special for me

The Spirit of the Beehive (1973) 2 Well made and original, but not interesting or entertaining for me

The Heartbreak Kid (1972) 3.5 One of the best comedies of the 70's for me. Kind of a weak ending though

The Holy Mountain (1973) 2.5 The strangest movie I've ever seen and not for my taste. I still liked it

What's up, Doc? (1972) 2.5 Likable, easy to watch movie, but I didn't find it that funny. Barbara Streisand is always a plus for me

Carnal Knowledge (1971) 2.5 As a Jack Nicholson fan, I enjoyed it for his performance. I just thought most of the situations, *and the two main characters weren't noteworthy*

3 Women (1977) 4.5 Big surprise with this one; creepy and hypnotic with brilliant performances from Spacek and Duvall

The Last Tango in Paris (1972) 3 Some good emotion and funny sexual dialogue, and it's got Marlon Brando

Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid (1973) 3.5 Excellent Western featuring an awesome musical score from Bob Dylan

The Marriage of Maria Braun (1979) 4.5 Maria Braun is the most compelling female character I've seen, that I can think of

Silver Streak (1976) 2.5 Just an ok comedy for me

The Go-Between (1971) 3 Not my kind of movie but I liked it much more than I thought I would

Slaughterhouse-Five (1972) 3.5 I think I missed something with this movie, but I enjoyed it quite a bit

F for Fake (1973) 2 I didn't dislike this; I just didn't care

The Enigma of Kaspar Hauser (1974) 2.5 I liked it and cared about the title character, but it started to drag for me after a little while

Amarcord (1973) 3 Charming and funny, with plenty of personality

The Passenger (1975) 2.5 It's a well crafted movie and I love Nicholson, but I was never gripped by this

Stroszek (1977) 3.5 I really liked everything about this movie and feel like I'm rating it tough

California Split (1974) 3.5 Entertaining look at a couple of compulsive gamblers played by Elliott Gould and George Segal

Fantastic Planet (1973) 3.5 This was an effective and frightening surprise for me, with a brilliant musical score

WR-Mysteries of the Organism (1971) 2 Not bad, just not what I'm looking for in a movie

The Hireling (1973) 3 I really enjoyed this one, although I'm not sure how I feel about the ending

Gates of Heaven (1978) 3 Not big on Documentaries, but I'm an animal lover, and this was funny*

Solaris (1972) 2.5 Pretty fascinating movie and very high quality. But again, I struggle with this director.

The American Friend (1977) 3.5 My first Wim Wenders film was a success, highlighted by very good performances from Bruno Ganz and Dennis Hopper

Mon oncle Antoine (1971) 2 Good looking movie but I just completely lost interest after about 20 minutes

Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971) 3 Slow, but an all around strong movie from the director of Midnight Cowboy and Marathon Man

Captain Blood (1935) 3 Solid adventure classic with the great Errol Flynn

THX 1138 (1971) 2.5 The Directorial debut for George Lucus is one for true Sci-Fi fans. For me, it was ok

Fiddler on the Roof (1971) 1.5 I wouldn't call this a bad movie, but it was the most difficult movie for me personally to sit through

2014 movies watched:
January-46
February-37
March-45
April-45
May-57
June-44
Total-274

seanc

06-30-14, 10:54 PM

Cricket your smokin through some movies this year buddy.

cricket

06-30-14, 10:59 PM

Anticipate slowing down but shooting for 500

Captain Spaulding

06-30-14, 11:02 PM

2014 movies watched:
January-46
February-37
March-45
April-45
May-57
June-44
Total-274

https://p.gr-assets.com/540x540/fit/hostedimages/1380421628/837783.gif

Mr Minio

07-01-14, 07:00 AM

I gave cricket plus rep even though he rated Mirror and Spirit of the Beehive 2 popcorns just for the amount of films. Some nice movies in there, too bad you don't enjoy some of them.

Mr Minio

07-01-14, 07:07 AM

Mr Minio 2014 movies watched:
January - 49
February - 56
March - 54
April - 72
May - 95
June - 50
July - (so far) 1 xD

* includes shorts
** too lazy to calculate the total

mark f

07-01-14, 03:26 PM

The Haunted (Robert Mandel, 1991) 2
Winnetou: The Last Shot aka The Desperado Trail (Harold Reinl, 1965) 2.5
Chromeskull: Laid to Rest 2 (Robert Hall, 2011) 2
Swing Shift Cinderella (Tex Avery, 1945) 3.5
http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs71/f/2012/153/7/f/wolf__s_evil_grin_gif_by_doublevtovka22-d52086s.gif
The Big Bad Wolf takes a break from Little Red Riding Hood and turns his attention to Cinderella, but her fairy godmother has a yen for him.
The Pacifier (Adam Shankman, 2005) 2.5-
Purity Squad (Harold Kress, 1945) 2
The Other Shore (Timothy Wheeler, 2013) 2.5
Baby Doll (Elia Kazan, 1956) 3.5
http://iamyouasheisme.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/vlcsnap-1052425.png
Karl Malden has virgin wife Carroll Baker and a cotton gin, but rival Eli Wallach wants to know who burned down his own gin and tries to get the answer from the wife while seducing her.
Canoeman’s Holiday (Douglas Sinclair, 1956) 2
The Pied Piper (Jacques Demy, 1972) 2.5
Sunlight Jr. (Laurie Collyer, 2013) 2
The Pawnbroker (Sidney Lumet, 1965) 4
http://cdn5.movieclips.com/paramount/t/the-pawnbroker-1964/0520966_34368_MC_Tx304.jpg
Hard-hearted pawnbroker Rod Steiger breaks down in a silent scream from all the recent events which have brought back buried memories of his tragic past.
Hey Bartender (Douglas Tirola, 2013) 2.5
Le Quattro Volte (Michelangelo Frammartino, 2010) 2
The Slender Thread (Sydney Pollack, 1965) 2.5
$ (Dollars) (Richard Brooks, 1971) 3.5
http://wipfilms.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Dollars-1971.09.jpg
Bank security consultant Warren Beatty and hooker Goldie Hawn conspire to steal $1.5 million from security boxes of three groups of criminals, and although those robbed cannot report it to the police, they can try to steal it back.
My Only Sunshine aka Hayat var (Reha Erdem, 2008) 2.5
Brother (Takeshi Kitano, 2000) 2.5-
The Story of Three Loves (Vincente Minnelli & Gottfried Reinhardt, 1953) 2.5-
The Italian Job (Peter Collinson, 1969) 3.5
http://i.minus.com/iNoCoRMBjxVW.gif
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6b7ajLUpa1qedb29o1_500.gif
Three Mini Coopers and the world’s largest traffic jam are essential for mobster Michael Caine’s plan to rob a gold shipment in Turin.

Sedai

07-01-14, 03:33 PM

Afflicted (Lee/Prowse, 2013) 3

http://www.fangirlmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Afflicted-5_zpsa1d24d33.jpgoriginal.jpg

Above average Verite horror. most recent horror flicks have left something to be desired, but like VHS and its sequel VHS2, this one uses found footage to its maximum effect. I was pleasantly surprised by this one!

meatwadsprite

07-01-14, 06:09 PM

How to Train Your Dragon 2

http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/How-to-Train-Your-Dragon-2-Hiccup-Toothless.jpg

I like the parts with the funny black dragon. Movie lost me about half way in though. The main guy is so unlikable. Christ.

rating_2_5

We Steal Secrets : Story of Wikileaks

http://www.johnlikesmovies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/wikileaks-documentary.jpg

Documentary captures a lot of elements of this story, but isn't very revelatory as to what secrets and information the website actually uncovered. They show the disturbing apache chopper footage, but that's pretty much it. I don't know anything about the subject, so I do wish it went in more depth to what secrets these guys were spilling.

rating_3

21 Jump Street

http://www.cinemablend.com/images/news_img/37437/21_Jump_Street_2_37437.jpg

A lot smarter and funnier than you would expect from this kind of movie. I would describe it as a more tame Hot Fuzz, with a focus on recreating movie high school.

rating_3

Gravity

http://wac.450f.edgecastcdn.net/80450F/screencrush.com/files/2013/09/GV-FP-0132r.jpg

Rewatched this one the other day. The visuals and the soundtrack are spectacular, but again Bullock's character is so goofy it ruins the third act for me. I think they should remake this, but just have her character say nothing.

rating_3

Twilight Zone : The Movie
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GCVkEkS8U3k/Udc4houg4zI/AAAAAAAALro/8uWQH8DWifw/s1600/tzmoviedrive.jpg

I never saw the television series, but I understand that most of these bits are just remakes of select episodes. The first of four parts is by John Landis. It's incredibly boring and it got the main actor and two children killed in a failed helicopter stunt. From my brief understanding of the incident he had the actual actor and two kids run under a helicopter 25 feet off the ground with explosions going off under it. As far as movie **** ups goes, John Landis and crew take the cake with that one.

It's followed by Steven Spielberg's worst work to date. A lighthearted, sap fest starring Scatman Crothers about old people turning into little kids and playing. I don't know a lot about the twilight zone, but I don't feel like this fits in anywhere there.

The third act (by Joe Dante) is amusing and filled with genuinely terrifying visuals. It's a remake of the episode where the little kid has powers to do anything, and he's a total *******. Then it cops out with some weird happy ending.

The fourth act however (George Miller) almost makes the whole collaboration worth it. A claustrophobic nightmare plane ride, with a tense performance from John Lithgow. I suggest just to watch the intro of the movie and then this part by itself.

rating_2_5

honeykid

07-01-14, 06:22 PM

If I remember correctly, in the actual Twilight Zone episode it's William Shatner who takes that plane journey.

Mr Minio

07-01-14, 07:19 PM

http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7oxl6xlkG1rc09kmo2_500.gif
I assure you. She's kinky. Too kinky even for me.

オーディション [Audition] (1999) - rating_3 (First Miike tries to make the viewer believe he knows the concept behind the film and when it happens shows his true self. Too bad I've already known what's going to happen, because the movie has to be one of the most spoiled ones in cinema history just after Titanic. No, I don't mean ship's sinking. More like Di Caprio's algid performance. Hehe. I mean, just look at this. All the gifs from this movie are spoilers! Loved the dream/trippin' sequence.)
http://www.kinopodbaranami.pl/images_lib/doc_3536_0.jpg
Потомок Чингис-Хана [Storm Over Asia] (1928) - rating_3_5 (Not as great as other Pudovkin gems, but still holds pretty well. What's interesting it's not about Russia, but about Mongols and British in 1920. The funny thing is British weren't in Mongolia at that time, but it's still a great opportunity to show these imperalists and perform a storm over Asia!)
http://moto-stars.pl/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Untitled.jpg
Przed¶wi±teczny wieczór [Evening Before Christmas] (1966) - rating_3_5 (Obscure Polish film. There's a man lookin' for a woman nobody else seems to know. He gets calls and follows them. Will he ever find her? It's got Last Year at Marienbad mystery feel to it and everything happens in a snowy city with cool music.)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8kbwGHaBDWY/SHYQUdjOTjI/AAAAAAAAAsk/Groi1YQDgs8/s1600/warandpeace2-03.jpg
Война и мир [War and Peace] (1965) - rating_4_5 (I completely fell in love with this 8 hour epic. And it's a total eye-candy! The camera work and cinematography is simply outstanding. The divided screen used few years before De Palma, the flickering colours, splendor and glamour of XIXth century Russia, the montage with diamonds (literally!), that quickly switches the takes of horrid battle to more personal ones of characters, some of them dying. Dying in the battle, yet far from it. They don't hear anything. Silence. Beautiful sky and philosophy. Ahhh. And then these glorious dances. So many memorable scenes. The duel, the flag, the proposal, the magical kiss, the shooting of a boy and much more. Great acting, especially from Tikhonov - the famous agent Stirlitz from Seventeen Moments of Spring and the director - Bondarchuk. That messianism, tho... I like it.)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/f3670c9e488fd94bcfefb0a1d3b6dd9a/tumblr_mlol875ak01qg4blro1_500.gif
楢山節考 [The Ballad of Narayama] (1958) - rating_3_5 (Kabuki in cinema! Great cinematography and classical Japanese legend made in a classic way make this jidaigeki a real treat for Japanese film lovers. Gotta see Imamura's version now. It's said to be kinky!)
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cEddkRn5IzY/TJeRipcRioI/AAAAAAAAGGY/abRMhcqdn4o/s1600/24g16w3.png
Vase de noces [Wedding Trough] (1975) - rating_2 (
people who'd like to watch this movie:
- coprophiles
- zoophiles
- sick people like me and Gunslinger
Simply put it's about a peasant who likes to do several things like tormenting poultry, taking a poo (ok that's quite normal) and then eating it (that's not normal) and the last but not least humping his beloved sow, I wonder if that's the kind of film Pasolini would make after Salo if he wasn't murdered. Still better love story than Twilight (that I haven't even seen and still make that old joke)
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qDGGIunsDuw/U2ytLFkhe7I/AAAAAAAAIPk/F9R4P-RRDcw/s1600/pizpalu03.jpg
Die weiße Hölle vom Piz Palü [The White Hell of Pitz Palu] (1929) - rating_4 (ok, there's Riefenstahl in it, but this time she does not direct, only acts. Too bad I don't find her attractive. It's a story of three alpinists. The first of them just lost his beloved one to the ever-hungry mountain. Two others are newlyweds. They all decide to go climbing for some reason, but don't know the mountain hungers. Hungers for human flesh! OK, I made it sound like a cheap horror film with mountain literally eating people, but in fact it's not that far from truth. The wrath of mountain is almost tangible in this beautifully shot drama. It looks like Tarantino loves it. Just look at this video from Inglorious Basterds:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qI1_zevl-Us)
http://media.giphy.com/media/9HRMJMygXgJna/giphy.gif
野良犬 [Stray Dog] (1949) - rating_3_5 (Hmm. A slightly worse Kurosawa. Still a pretty good film with amazing ending. Mifune and Shimura do not disappoint as always, but this time they don't astonish neither. Compared to one year older Drunken Angel, Stray Dog is a slightly underwhelming experience.)
http://s3.amazonaws.com/auteurs_production/images/film/the-garden-of-delights/w448/the-garden-of-delights.jpg?1323639947
El jardín de las delicias [The Garden of Delights] (1970) - rating_4 (Amazing surrealist drama by Saura. I'm planning to watch the rest of his films now.)
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3gvlznton1qzr8nao1_500.png
Lemora: A Child's Tale of the Supernatural (1973) - rating_3 (Verily, verily I say upon Thee you are not a virgin no more you hath lost your purity, you blood-thirsty vampire! And there are ghouls in the forest! And every man in the movie is a pedophile! Wooh! Even I felt guilty for thinking the actress is sexy. I mean, she played a 13 y/o character in the movie. Thankfully, the actress was 20 in real life, so I can live happily. Valerie and Her Week of Wonders is much better film when we talk about sexual initation and vampirism, but this film's mournful Lemora and fairy tale mood are something to like,)

Shorts:
Intervals (1969) - rating_3
Big Bang Big Boom (2010) - rating_3_5
Turbulent (2002) - rating_3_5
Film (1965) - rating_3

Not only does Greenaway make a structural film short, a bunch of creatures painted on city walls come to life and Iranians start to sing, but also Buster Keaton tries to escape his own self one year before his death.

mark f

07-01-14, 07:58 PM

We agree on the rating for War and Peace. :cool:

Mr Minio

07-01-14, 08:03 PM

Cool. We agree on something for once. I knew you like it, but didn't know how much. Figures very much. :)

How do you rate the Hepburn film? Is it worth watching?

The Gunslinger45

07-01-14, 08:13 PM

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cEddkRn5IzY/TJeRipcRioI/AAAAAAAAGGY/abRMhcqdn4o/s1600/24g16w3.png
Vase de noces [Wedding Trough] (1975) - rating_2 (
people who'd like to watch this movie:
- coprophiles
- zoophiles
- sick people like me and Gunslinger
Simply put it's about a peasant who likes to do several things like tormenting poultry, taking a poo (ok that's quite normal) and then eating it (that's not normal) and the last but not least humping his beloved sow, I wonder if that's the kind of film Pasolini would make after Salo if he wasn't murdered. Still better love story than Twilight (that I haven't even seen and still make that old joke)

I was curious about this movie after I saw a review of it on Brows Held High. Before that episode I had no idea this was a thing. And yes it is a bad movie, and the unofficial title certainly stands.

Also I gave Stray Dog the same rating. It is a weaker Kurosawa film.

mark f

07-01-14, 08:16 PM

I give the King Vidor War and Peace 3. It's good, but a bit silly compared to Bondarchuk's.

Guaporense

07-02-14, 12:37 AM

Война и мир [War and Peace] (1965) - rating_4_5 (I completely fell in love with this 8 hour epic. And it's a total eye-candy! The camera work and cinematography is simply outstanding. The divided screen used few years before De Palma, the flickering colours, splendor and glamour of XIXth century Russia, the montage with diamonds (literally!), that quickly switches the takes of horrid battle to more personal ones of characters, some of them dying. Dying in the battle, yet far from it. They don't hear anything. Silence. Beautiful sky and philosophy. Ahhh. And then these glorious dances. So many memorable scenes. The duel, the flag, the proposal, the magical kiss, the shooting of a boy and much more. Great acting, especially from Tikhonov - the famous agent Stirlitz from Seventeen Moments of Spring and the director - Bondarchuk. That messianism, tho... I like it.)

I have been interested in watching it. I read the novel which is among my favorite novels but as usually I expected the film adaptation to be much weaker. However your high rating for it made me more determined to watch it.

Mr Minio

07-02-14, 06:36 AM

If not mine rating, mark f's should encourage you to watch it. :D

Mingusings

07-02-14, 10:49 AM

Transcendence (2014): 3
Borgman (2014): 3
The Raid 2 (2014): 3_5
22 Jump Street (2014): 3
Autumn Sonata (1978): 4
Badlands (1973): 3_5
The Devil's Backbone (2001): 3
High Tension (2003): 3_5

Sleezy

07-02-14, 12:40 PM

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j38/iusreview/Toothless-Hiccup2_zps2fb8ec28.jpg

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (DeBlois, 2014) 4_5

Alright, look. Here it is.

I never grew up.

Sure, I've got a mortgage, and a car, and I like "adult" stuff like Game of Thrones, etc. But I'm still a kid. I'm always gonna be a kid.

I don't know why I like these films so much. Strike that, maybe I do. Like Hiccup, I was also a gangly, sarcastic, inventive, good-hearted, and insecure youngster. I think those kinds of kinds of personal connections, whenever you can make them, are inevitably stronger. It surpasses simply "I like this film" and becomes more akin to "This film is a part of me."

And of course, I've always had a fondness for "a boy and his pet" stories, largely because I have such a fondness for animals. Not just because they're fun to be around and play with, but because it's important to me that I can understand and relate to them, and in that way form a relationship that goes beyond mere "this is my pet."

How to Train Your Dragon just hits all the right marks for me. It's set in a genre I absolutely love, with a style and personality that just speaks my language. It's unfailingly clever, captivating, beautiful, heartfelt, and thrilling. While the sequel doesn't quite surmount the effect the first film had on me, it's nevertheless exactly what I wanted in a sequel. No rehashed jokes for the sake of making a quick buck, no overwhelmingly complex plot, but still a bold new direction that doesn't settle on just being a sequel.

I love these films.

Side note: After the film was over, my wife and I sat through the credits watching a young girl (six years old or so) dancing to the music. She had obviously taken dancing lessons, but the way she felt the rhythm and kept going through the entire credits, all with a big smile on her face, left an impression on us both. It's no small thing when you realize, in that moment, that you're watching someone do the thing they absolutely love and were probably put on this earth to do. We encouraged her mom to keep her in those dancing lessons.

Daniel M

07-02-14, 04:56 PM

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2010/7/26/1280163128580/Gosford-Park-006.jpg

Gosford Park (Robert Altman, 2001) rating_4+

Agatha Christie (Poirot) like murder tale set in 1932 England. The large ensemble cast suits Altman perfectly, with fantastic character development that is at times even more intriguing than Nashville. The sets, costumes and other production elements are spot on, and Altman makes fantastic use of the location using his floating camera to travel from one conversation to the next, we are the detective looking for clues around each corner. Fantastic performances, with each character perfectly cast, and then there is the script which is smartly written to provide plenty of laughs at the expense of the hypocritical characters who all seem to despise each other for a variety of reasons.

http://unobtainium13.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/max-von-sydow.jpg

Three Days of the Condor (Sydney Pollack, 1975) rating_3_5

Intelligent thriller with some great performances from actors who I love: Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway and Max von Sydow. Very enjoyable and also very appropriate in modern times with both modern surveillance issues and warfare largely concerned with the private wants of individuals rather than the protection of the country.

http://10kbullets.com/images/2006/04/leboucher-03.jpg

Le Boucher (Claude Chabrol, 1970) rating_3

Interesting film with two good performances, but I feel the story does not allow for much to really happen in an hour and a half, a lot of it seems padded out and the idea is stretched to its maximum.

http://www.lzsy.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/371.jpg

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Shane Black, 2005) rating_3

Enjoyable modern noir that kept me interested until the end with lots of twists and turns. Robert Downey Jr. is enjoyable, but overall I did not find the script as hilarious and enjoyable and some people seem to.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Music/Pix/pictures/2011/6/10/1307698321331/Saturday-Night-Fever-007.jpg

Saturday Night Fever (John Badham, 1977) rating_3_5

I like John Travolta a lot and I had heard lots of great things about him in this film. He is undoubtedly great, and I was slightly surprised at the human element of the film, he feels like a real human being and you genuinely feel for him. Great soundtrack too.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/2/12/1392220465566/Wyldstyle-Emmet-and-Vitru-011.jpg

The Lego Movie (Phil Lord & Christopher Miller, 2014) rating_4

Great animation that manages to capture everything I loved about Lego growing up, I can not really imagine this being done any better. Some fantastic voice performances, and a story that has its heart in the right place, seems to be a hit for all ages.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/5/13/1399938680771/2014-X-MEN-DAYS-OF-FUTURE-011.jpg

X-Men: Days of Future Past (Bryan Singer, 2014) rating_3_5

I am not the biggest comic book film fan and find most of the Marvel stuff overrated, but as a young teen I really used to enjoy the original Singer X-Men films, and even the cartoons that used to be shown on TV. I was not the biggest fan of First Class but I found this to be a big improvement. The plot is quite convoluted but a couple of viewings has ensured I pretty much understood everything, and whilst with most time travel films, it has its problems (and it seems to erase all the other X-Men films about from the last one), it does what it wants to. I preferred the first half to the second, I loved the Quicksilver slow motion scene, and wish the second half used music as well as the first too.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2014/3/5/1394043622574/Ralph-Fiennes-left-and-To-011.jpg

The Grand Budapest Hotel (Wes Anderson, 2014) rating_3_5+

Very fun film with fantastic performances all round. Ralph Fiennes is great in the main role, and is impeccable in his timing, the script is at times brilliantly hilarious and I in particular loved Adrien Brody in his small time on screen. Like most Wes Anderson films its a little cold and no characters offer much to get attached to, but it could turn in to a favourite on repeat viewings.

http://www.theasc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/07_3-WOMEN-FILM.jpg

3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977) rating_4

What the f*ck? Unlike any other Altman film I have seen, this really is a fascinating film that plays out like a dream. It evoked Persona and the works of Lynch that deal with women in identity problems. There is a sense of impending doom throughout the whole thing and every scene feels uneasy and odd, as if something is just not right. I have been thinking about this since I have seen it.

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/cronenberg-nest-short-film-06302014-085053.jpg

The Nest (David Cronenberg, 2014) rating_2_5

A weird NSFW short film that feels very much like Cronenberg's other works in its eerie atmosphere and dealing with human transformation. Its difficult to rate, as nothing much happens, but it is worth checking out.

http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2012/2/22/1329932563955/Barry-Lyndon-007.jpg

Barry Lyndon (Stanley Kubrick, 1975) rating_4+

Fantastic film in many aspects. In terms of visuals, this film is almost perfect, a real work of beauty. A fascinating character study about a troubled man, I can understand why some would be put off by the 'coldness' of the tale, but I found it interesting and at times hilarious.

Swan

07-02-14, 04:58 PM

http://www.theasc.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/07_3-WOMEN-FILM.jpg

3 Women (Robert Altman, 1977) rating_4

What the f*ck? Unlike any other Altman film I have seen, this really is a fascinating film that plays out like a dream. It evoked Persona and the works of Lynch that deal with women in identity problems. There is a sense of impending doom throughout the whole thing and every scene feels uneasy and odd, as if something is just not right. I have been thinking about this since I have seen it.

:up:

mark f

07-02-14, 05:03 PM

Le Boucher creates the atmosphere you found in 3 Women, and vice versa. :)

Holden Pike

07-02-14, 05:06 PM

http://www.movieforums.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=16121&stc=1&d=1404331565

And check out Altman's Images with Susannah York, too, as it is the closest in tone and subject matter to 3 Women and Persona. I like it more than 3 Women, but they are both good, weird, very effective tone poems.

.
.

Daniel M

07-02-14, 05:08 PM

In Le Boucher its obvious whats happening though, and its just the same relationship between the two characters from the first minute to the last. In 3 Women your constantly questioning the characters, and the women are changing radically, they interact with new people and you never know what's going to happen next unlike the predictable Le Boucher, I found.

I was about to ask anyway Mark, with the two Altman films, how painful was it for you to rep the post? :p

Also a little note on Gosford Park: I worked out the mystery'about halfway through, but it did not lower my enjoyment for the film. I think it's because I've watched so many murder mysteries with my mum, who has seen pretty much every Poirot, so naturally I loved the story and the British setting and cast, so great to see Altman take on something so un-American, a perfect match :)

Daniel M

07-02-14, 05:12 PM

And check out Altman's Images with Susannah York, too, as it is the closest in tone and subject matter to 3 Women and Persona. I like it more than 3 Women, but they are both good, weird, very effective tone poems.

.
.

I want to do so before I submit my Seventies list as I noticed you ranked it high in the Altman thread, looks interesting as IMDB labels it a horror and I like these sort of films. I also want to watch California Split for the Seventies list too, although as Cobpyth pointed out in another thread, all, the copies available seem to be edited ones with different music and some scenes edited. If you've seen both versions, is there much difference? Also any other Altman Seventies that you'd recommend outside of the usual suspects? I've seen and loved Nashville, The Long Goodbye and McCabe & Mrs. Miller too, and of course recently enjoyed MASH :)

Swan

07-02-14, 05:16 PM

mark f

07-02-14, 05:16 PM

I was about to ask anyway Mark, with the two Altman films, how painful was it for you to rep the post? :p
I vomited as I clicked the :up: :) I don't know why you think Le Boucher is so predictable but were fascinated by 3 Women, and I never will. I give the very predictable Gosford Park 3 by the way.

Monkeypunch

07-03-14, 10:01 AM

A Million Ways to Die in the West - So yeah, this film bombed. It bombed hard. Why? I don't even know. I had a great time. Seth McFarlane plays a sheep rancher who is afraid of everything, but is forced to get tough to win back his fickle ex-girlfriend (Amanda Seyfried) from a smarmy shopkeep (Neil Patrick Harris). He's helped by Charlize Theron as the bad ass wife of an Irish bank robber (Liam Neeson). It has all manner of politically incorrect humor, some hilarious sight gags, and even a few well placed cameos. No it doesn't make a grand satirical point, it's not Blazing Saddles, but it's good for a few nasty laughs. If you enjoy Family Guy or Ted, you'll have a good time. 3.5

mark f

07-03-14, 02:14 PM

Brooklyn Babylon (Marc Levin, 2001) 2
Puss in Boots (Chris Miller, 2011) 2.5
The Gunfighters (Clay Borris, 1987) 2
Rob Roy (Michael Caton-Jones, 1995) 3.5
http://application.denofgeek.com/pics/film/showdowns/08.jpg
Scots highland chieftain Liam Neeson duels to the death with John Hurt’s henchman amd sword expert Tim Roth.
Sentimental Journey (Walter Lang, 1946) 2
Wandering Through Wales (James A. FitzPatrick, 1948) 2.5
The Forbidden Street (Jean Negulesco, 1949) 2+
Cardinal Richelieu (Rowland V. Lee, 1935) 2.5
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VhaBpBo7mac/UbGB-MFDReI/AAAAAAABdXA/9eQq054iwNs/s1600/CARDINAL+RICHELIEU.jpg
Louis XIII (Edward Arnold) seeks the aid of wily Cardinal Richelieu (George Arliss) to protect him against nobleman enemies.
Nine Lives Are Not Enough (A. Edward Sutherland, 1941) 2
This Land Is Mine (jean Renoir, 1943) 2.5
Secret Command (Eddie Sutherland [A. Edward Sutherland], 1944) 2
Schultze Gets the Blues (Michael Schorr, 2003) 2.5
http://www.rainer-bublitz.de/dir_cinema/pics_schultze/schultze_13.jpg
After retiring, Horst Krause becomes obsessed with zydeco music and travels from Germany to America where he makes friends with Anne V. Angelle.
Dracula 3000 (Darrell Roodt, 2004) 1.5
Black Moon (Louis Malle, 1975) 1.5
The Hunger Games (Gary Ross, 2012) 3
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (Francis Lawrence, 2013) 3
http://pixel.nymag.com/imgs/daily/vulture/2013/10/27/hunger-games/4.o.jpg/a_560x0.jpg
During a brief respite from the Hunger Games, Josh Hutcherson and Jennifer Lawrence think about their loved ones.
Forest of Bliss (Robert Gardner, 1986) 2
Hold That Co-ed (George Marshall, 1939) 2.5
Best of the Best (Bob Radler, 1989) 2
Bite the Bullet (Richard Brooks, 1975) 3.5
http://www.filmlinc.com/assets/uploads/films/Bite1.jpg
Two former Rough Riders - devout horse lover Gene Hackman and his best friend, gambler James Coburn - are among the entrants in a 700-mile endurance horse race through the American Southwest.

Lucas

07-04-14, 01:13 AM

http://davidderrick.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/battle-algiers-2.gif
Battle of Algiers 4+

There is a brutally truth and unwavering honesty to this film. It depicts the Algiers revolution with an intimate eye for detail, and without glorifying either side. It even feels like a documentary at times, and I can't forget to mention how visceral and engaging this film is. It is an engrossing viewing, and a true classic.

Blue Ruin 3.5+

There's not really much to say about this one,except that it is essentially a very well-made revenge thriller. It has superb cinematography, outstanding sound design and the suspense in this film is palpable. Its quite engaging,riveting even ,and it doesn't have a dull moment. The film I'd say in tone this is the closest to is No Country For Old Men.

http://www.8cn.tv/sites/default/files/styles/500x262/public/x-men-days-of-future-past_0.gif?itok=D2vcxR-Y
X-Men: Days of Future Past 4

I don't watch too many comic-book films or summer blockbusters. Not because i'm too good for them or anything lol, its just that very few are able to capture my interest. This film however isn't an ordinary blockbuster, it is a spectacular blockbuster.

There's just so much I admired about this movie here. The script is clever, the special effects and action sequences are breathtaking, there's great emphasis on character development, the movie looks great,etc. But the biggest complaint of all, is that the movie is pure,unadulterated fun. F-U-N. This isn't some steamy turd like Man of Steel which will make you want to gauge your eyes out. Its an entertaining,summer blockbuster of the highest caliber. I honestly look forward to watching this bad boy again.

Captain America:The Winter Solider 3+

Another above average blockbuster, but not nearly as good. Its fun and quite entertaining, but it doesn't feel nearly as robust as X-Men. There's an interesting element of 70's paranoia thriller in here and that's rad. But this still feels like your typical Marvel film, I don't mean that as a huge criticism. I'm just saying that there's nothing here that you haven't seen numerous times before.

Locke 3.5-

Tom Hardy. A Car. One cell-phone. Thats literally it, in what is essentially a minimalist character study of a man driving his car. The success of this film rests on Hardy's acting chops, and he delivers. The natural,realistic dialogue doesn't hurt either. This was damn good for what it tried to be and It was worth watching.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zGreRPcsAtg/TEVi5UTxQII/AAAAAAAABxU/iMdKd5t0pN4/s1600/L'Avventura19.jpg
L'Avventura 4

Okay, so its clear that on this forum there are those who love this. Orrrr they think its a colossal bore. I obviously don't happen to fall in the latter category, so I'll emphasize why I really like this.

For one, it has an incredible atmosphere. An air of mystery that never lets up, and beneath the seemingly normal premise of a girl that has vanished there is quite of bit of depth here. Critique of the bourgeoisie, the decay of values and moral decency,etc,etc. There is alot to read into with this film but it proves rewarding so long as you are in the mood for a challenging art-piece such as this. Oh and the photography is orgasmic, truly a beautiful looking film.

Grown Ups 2 0-

I have an excuse for watching this abomination I swear. So I was flipping through channels and I stumbled upon this steamer. Out of curiosity I decided to view a bit of this monstrosity to see how awful it really is. Without hyperbole, I think that this might be the biggest turd the silver screen has ever seen. Everything reeks of laziness. The talentless hacks that made this piece of filth are of course to blame,but so are the millions of moronic moviegoers who went to see this fudge-dragon in theaters.

There is not a single ounce of merit here. The jokes aren't funny, the movie looks awful, the acting is atrocious obviously, the movie is hateful,racist,smug and it is inept in even telling a coherent story. I wasn't even able to conjure a simple smile, I was in awe. Complete and utter awe that fecal matter like this is able to exist.

TURD UPS 3 should be the official name of the inevitable Turdquel.

mark f

07-04-14, 01:29 AM

How much of Grown Ups 2 did you actually watch?

Lucas

07-04-14, 01:32 AM

How much of Grown Ups 2 did you actually watch?

Too much. Around 50 minutes I'd say.

Mr Minio

07-04-14, 03:45 AM

If you haven't seen it all you can't rate it. <trollface>

mark f

07-04-14, 10:58 PM

The Brotherhood III: Young Demons (David DeCoteau, 2003) 1
Rocky III (Sylvester Stallone, 1982) 2.5
Rocky II (Sylvester Stallone, 1979) 3
Rocky (John G. Avildsen, 1976) 3.5+
http://dakdown.net/img_src/movie.120905040200.WeY9S.png
Philadelphia club boxer Sylvester Stallone finds love with shy, abused Talia Shire, all while he trains for a heavyweight championship match on America’s bicentennial.
Rocky IV (Sylvester Stallone, 1985) 2.5-
Rocky V (John G. Avildsen, 1990) 2.5
The Heat's On (Gregory Ratoff, 1943) 2
My Little Chickadee (Edward F. Cline, 1940) 2.5
http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Film/Pix/pictures/2010/1/20/1263986881801/Mae-West-and-WC-Fields-in-001.jpg
Lady of ill-repute Mae West marries card sharp W.C. Fields, and they both become embroiled in a crime boss’ machinations.
Strange Relations (Paul Seed, 2001) 2.5
China Strike Force (Stanley Tong, 2000) 1.5
Old Dogs (Walt Becker, 2009) 2-
How to Start Your Own Country (Jody Shapiro, 2010) 2.5
http://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/files/2011/03/micronation.jpg
President Kevin Baugh of Molossia proudly displays the flag of his micronation located on 1½ acres within Nevada, as well as 5 acres in California during holidays.
You Got Served (Christopher B. Stokes, 2004) 2
Bad Fever (Dustin Guy Defa. 2012) 2-
Dante’s Inferno (Harry Lachman, 1935) 2.5
Queen Kelly (Erich von Stroheim, 1929) 3
http://bmtr.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/stro5.jpg?w=450&h=334
Gloria Swanson lives in a convent but prays to meet the Prince she saw earlier in the day, and unfortunately for her, the prayer is answered.
American Ninja 5 (Bobby Gene Leonard , 1993) 1+
[b]American Samurai (Sam Firstenberg, 1992) 2
Freedom Strike (Jerry P. Jacobs, 1998) 1.5+
The April Fools (Stuart Rosenberg, 1969) 3+
http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/images/reviews/279/full/1390942272_1.png
Recently-promoted, but insecure businessman Jack Lemmon and unhappily-married Catherine Deneuve meet at an upscale NYC party and spend a romantic night together

seanc

07-05-14, 12:33 AM

Did you do a Rocky marathon today mark? That is a goid idea. I might do that next year.

Guaporense

07-05-14, 12:35 AM

How to Train your Dragon 2 - 3

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/How_to_Train_Your_Dragon_2_poster.jpg

Effective and entertaining but nothing more than that. Weaker than the first one which packed some real emotional punch, this one is more like other Dreamwork films: safe, full of light jokes (which did not work very well for me), full of cliches (although the first one also had a few narrative cliches) and entertaining. Animated film count since May 20: 72.

Martyrs - 3_5

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/d/da/Martyrs_tp01.jpg

Interesting film. Nothing really impressive but fun torture porn and also has some interesting philosophical observations.

mark f

07-05-14, 12:45 AM

Did you do a Rocky marathon today mark? That is a goid idea. I might do that next year.
It was mostly yesterday, but yes, I rewatched them on AMC. The bad part was they had commercials, but the good part was they weren't cut. I didn't really notice the ads so much.

The Gunslinger45

07-05-14, 09:17 AM

How to Start Your Own Country (Jody Shapiro, 2010) 2.5
http://www-tc.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/files/2011/03/micronation.jpg
President Kevin Baugh of Molossia proudly displays the flag of his micronation located on 1½ acres within Nevada, as well as 5 acres in California during holidays.

Hey it is that guy from Kickassia!

Nostromo87

07-05-14, 10:51 AM

Queen Kelly (Erich von Stroheim, 1929) rating_3
http://bmtr.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/stro5.jpg?w=450&h=334
Gloria Swanson lives in a convent but prays to meet the Prince she saw earlier in the day, and unfortunately for her, the prayer is answered.

hey, the scene Norma Desmond shows Joe Gillis in Sunset Blvd.

i didn't know what movie it was from, but now i do :up:

mark f

07-06-14, 02:02 PM

Double Take (George Gallo, 2001) 2.5
Attack of the 50 Foot Woman (Nathan Hertz [Juran], 1958) 1.5
The Fighting 69th (William Keighley, 1940) 2.5
The Three Musketeers (Richard Lester, 1973) 4-
http://i567.photobucket.com/albums/ss115/Black_Vulmea/pretty%20bad%20eggs/3musketeerslester_zpsab93df0e.jpg
When confronted by Richelieu’s guards, Athos (Oliver Reed), D’Artagnan (Michael York), Aramis (Richard Chamberlain) and Porthos (Frank Finlay) join forces.
Deep Impact (Mimi Leder, 1998) 2.5
Back to the Secret Garden (Michael Tuchner, 2001) 2.5
Alien Nation (Graham Baker, 1988) 2.5
The Devil’s Disciple (Guy Hamilton, 1959) 3.5+
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MNesBE0YhP8/T_RvZ_T7UzI/AAAAAAAAB8w/iiHnSFbMfZc/s1600/Devil's+disciple2.jpg
Minister-turned-revolutionary Burt Lancaster has the advantage of Major Harry Andrews and General “Gentlemanly Johnny” Burgoyne (Laurence Olivier).
The Legend of Bloody Mary (John Stecenko, 2008) 1.5
Tora! Tora! Tora! (Toshio Masuda, Kinji Fukasaku & Richard Fleischer 1970) 3
Battle Royale (Kinji Fukasaku, 2000) 3
Lady Vengeance (Chan-wook Park, 2005) 3-
http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maelkjPh2I1rzp0ndo1_500.gif
Yeong-ae Lee cut off a finger to atone for a crime she perhaps didn’t commit; here she’s checking her blood-red eye shadow which she wears to keep from looking too kind-hearted.
West of Memphis (Amy Berg, 2012) 3
The Last Rebel (Denys McCoy, 1971) 0.5
The V.I.P.s (Anthony Asquith, 1963) 2.5+
Election (Alexander Payne, 1999) 3+
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9XTk1hozC8A/UJ6nbtxFwBI/AAAAAAAACl4/SjtjvOycrLU/s1600/tumblr_lwju00U6zG1qzxwg8o1_500.png
While trying to get his wife pregnant, teacher Matthew Broderick imagines over-achieving student Reese Witherspoon barking sexual orders at him.
Phantom (F.W. Murnau, 1922) 2.5
Cherry Blossoms (Doris Dörrie, 2008) 2.5
Romantic Nevada (James A. FitzPatrick, 1943) 2.5
Assault on Precinct 13 (John Carpenter, 1976) 3
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ls7zhhN24x1qbnylmo1_500.gif
Kids, learn a lesson from Kim Richards. You can be thankful for getting vanilla – you don’t need vanilla twist.

honeykid

07-06-14, 03:38 PM

Some good stuff there, mark, and, possibly, my favourite bit of Assault On Precinct 13. I knew I loved that film from that moment.

Mr Minio

07-06-14, 07:24 PM

http://25.media.tumblr.com/6e6c9ea09ed7a1e86214d8eb968bcd0f/tumblr_mh3sevA51f1qg39ewo1_500.gif
La prima Angélica (1973) - rating_3_5
Europa (1991) - rating_4
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mczob7e3gx1qzh7oro1_500.jpg
盲獣 [Blind Beast] (1969) - rating_4
Nocturne (1980) - rating_3_5
http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz91j7YMSY1qbmw0xo1_r1_250.gifhttp://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lz91j7YMSY1qbmw0xo3_r1_250.gif
Ana y los lobos [Ana and the Wolves] (1973) - rating_4
小早川家の秋 [The End of Summer] (1961) - rating_4
http://www.kipa.pl/images/stories/kipa_aktualnosci/kinorp-iluminacja-zanussi.png
Elegia (1979) - rating_3_5
Iluminacja [The Illumination] (1973) - rating_4_5
http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6m0tjgDe11qfhre5o1_500.gif
Epidemic (1987) - rating_4
東京暮色 [Tokyo Twilight] (1957) - rating_4_5
http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lv3949qiYI1qaglflo1_500.gif
おとし穴 [Pitfall] (1962) - rating_4
...Continuavano a chiamarlo Trinità [Trinity Is Still My Name]
(1971) - rating_3
http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyvvx7zRnD1qg39ewo1_500.gif
Abel, twój brat [Abel, Your Brother] (1970) - rating_4
Nackt unter Wölfen [Naked Among Wolves] (1963) - rating_2_5
Barfly (1987) - rating_3_5

I delved into Saura a little bit more. Both La prima Angélica and Ana y los lobos seem to be a metaphor on Franco's Spain - something the director dealt with in his early works. I also started to appreciate both José Luis López Vázquez and Geraldine Chaplin more. The three brothers in Ana... were pretty good too. I especially liked the hermit bit in this one.

I also had a double bill of von Trier. Only that it was not one after another. Damn, it wasn't even the same day. Figures it wasn't a double bill, then, but anyways... I seem to appreciate his early work a little bit more. He wasn't as controversial as he's later become with Antichrist and (not yet seen) Nymphomaniac and his movies were more experimental. It's been a while since I saw The Element of Crime and now I wanted to finish the trilogy. I started with Europa, an incredibly stylish black'n'white noir thriller/drama (black comedy?) with occasional colourful spawns of beauty. It was narrated by Max von Sydow. Not only a great actor, but also owner of good voice. Really atmospheric experience with good silent cinema/classic Hollywood visuals. Then, I watched von Trier's short Nocturne. It's simply a mood piece. Eventually, the last part of the trilogy - Epidemic, shot in mockumentary style, it tells the story of guys writing a script. It also shows some parts of the story as in an already made movie. I really loved the vibe. A really weird experience that's both hilarious (the cab scene), disturbing (the final scene) and blissful (the choppa rope flying scene).

I had a good time with Saura and von Trier, but these are not the only directors I decided to get to know a little bit more. There's also Yasujiro Ozu. The End of Summer, his one before last film, is of course very typical for the Japanese master. It's beautifully shot in colour and as other Ozu films uses non-moving camera takes. The framing of these shots is just perfect. It also features two Americans one of the ladies dates. Was quite a shock for me to see non-Japanese people in Ozu film. The other one, Tokyo Twilight, really made my day. It's of course still very Ozu-ish, so don't expect wandering shots, or murders, but what really struck me is how dark the movie is. While the rest of Ozu films I've seen may be sad at times, these movies always leave at least a glimmer of hope. Tokyo Twilight just doesn't. Everything seems sinister and themes are very dark. And that 'I want to start all over again' bit was sad. :( It became my favourite Ozu! A must-see for everybody, who loves Ozu. Now that I think of it, the only bad thing you can say about Ozu's cinema is monothematicity. Oh, they both feature Setsuko Hara, my favourite Japanese actress and the latter also has cute Ineko Arima. We also have Ozu film veteran Chishu Ryu in both of them, in the first only for a minute, though.

I watched three Polish films. Elegia tells the story of Polish soldiers fighting and then caught by Germans and Letts. It's based on true events. Iluminacja is a true gem and my favourite Zanussi film. The movie is just so rich in its themes you can't live without seeing it. It even has some essay film elements with eerie scientifical trivia. Abel, twój brat is amazing as well. This time we are among children. You shalt not kill thy brother as Cain did. The allegorical message is very strong and the movie poignant.

There's Blind Beast. A peculiar Japanese New Wave flick. It's about the art of touch and ultimate ectasy. The studio the bigger part of the movie takes place in is impressive. It's T(A)ITSY. I mean, TASTY. The last twenty minutes, or so were really disturbing even though they weren't graphic. Left me in a really weird state, but eventually I loved the flick. Pitfall is another Japanese New Wave gem. It's made by master Teshigahara and playfully changes from dense thriller to light comedy to existential drama. Class.

Trinity is Still My Name has to be one of the worst Spaghettis I saw. It's hard to call it Spaghetti, because it could have been made in America as well. It's more comedy than anything. The humour is very coarse (farting baby) but the movie has its moments - like the confession scene. LOL. Oh, and the girl is hot. :) Yeah, the first part felt more fresh and had better soundtrack. (He's the top of the West - always cool, he's the best - how awesome this cheesy song is?!) but the second is not a bad film neither. Especially if you like Hill & Spencer duo and Asterix & Obelix kinda entertainment.

I also watched German flick about a camp, but thought it's mediocre and Barfly that was pretty good.

cricket

07-06-14, 07:32 PM

I finally saw one that you watched(Barfly), glad you liked it. I put Blind Beast on my to see list.

Sane

07-07-14, 08:28 PM

Watched a lot since my last post so I'll keep the silly comments to a minimum ;)

Sex, Lies & Videotape (1989) - Steven Soderbergh
James Spader was good before he let himself go ... rating_4

McCabe & Mrs Miller (1977) - Robert Altman
As is often the case with Altman, I liked it but not as much as I had hoped. rating_4-

Annie Hall (1976) - Woody Allen
One of my favourite Allen films. rating_4_5-

King Kong (1933) - Merian C Cooper/Ernest B Schoedsack
An old favourite that I still love. rating_4_5

Piranha 3DD (2012) - John Gulager
Not sure what I was thinking ... rating_1

Where the Wild Things Are (2009) - Spike Jonze
I'd seen this before and it still feels like it's missing something but I'm not sure what. rating_3+

Shane (1953) - George Stevens
Far too sentimental for me to really love but it's entertaining enough. rating_3_5

The Selfish Giant (2013) - Clio Barnard
Really interesting drama that was let down a bit by the acting and script but I'm looking forward to seeing more by this director. rating_3_5-

The Grapes of Wrath (1940) - John Ford
Very good movie. rating_4

Thief (1981) - Michael Mann
Good crime movie with an impressive performance by James Caan. rating_3_5

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) - John Huston
Considering what everyone says about the acting of Bogart and Walter Huston I was most impressed with Tim Holt's performance. rating_4

The Insider (1999) - Michael Mann
Good performance from Pacino and a pretty good movie overall - but ridiculously long for what it was. rating_3_5-

LA Confidential (1997) - Curtis Hanson
As an Australian I got excited seeing Guy Pearce, Russell Crowe and Simon Baker in one movie. Felt like the first time I saw Van Helsing ... only better ;) rating_4

Network (1976) - Sidney Lumet
Excellent movie. I always thought William Holden was a pretty average actor - turns out I was wrong. rating_4_5

Mr Smith Goes to Washington (1939) - Frank Capra
Perhaps the most manipulative film I've ever seen. Last half hour was good though. rating_3-

The Wild Bunch (1969) - Sam Peckinpah
Liked this more than I expected and again loved Holden's performance. rating_4+

Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942) - Michael Curtiz
Cagney was great but everything else felt pretty lame. Entertaining though I guess. rating_3

Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) - Anthony & Joe Russo
I don't mind some of the Marvel movies released in the last few years but this felt too clichéd. Action was probably good but I need more than that. rating_2_5+

Nashville (1975) - Robert Altman
Really liked this. Even enjoyed the music. rating_4

Robocop (2014) - Jose Padilha
I didn't mind this early on but I had lost interest by about half way through. rating_2_5

The 400 Blows (1959) - Francois Truffaut
Thought this was a bit up and down to start with but there were more and more great scenes as it went on. rating_4_5-

The Hedgehog (2009) - Mona Achache
Excellent. rating_4_5

The French Connection (1971) - William Friedkin
Good story well told. rating_3_5+

Reconstruction (1970) - Theodoros Angelopoulos
As the name suggest, a reconstruction of a crime in a small Greek village. Excellent black and white cinematography. rating_3_5+

The Double (2014) - Richard Ayoade
Enjoyed this but it felt a bit long - weird considering it was only 90 minutes. Might have been better as a short. rating_3_5

Opening Night (1977) - John Cassavetes
Gena Rowlands again shows that she is perhaps the greatest actress ever. rating_4+

Alice in the Cities (1974) - Wim Wenders
Two people trying to find their place in the world. rating_4_5+

Spirit of the Beehive (1973) - Victor Erice
Amazing. rating_5